Created to help protect credit and debit card payments, 3D Secure (3DS) provides an extra layer of data authentication to yield more secure transactions for merchants and customers.
3DS has evolved from a simple authentication tool to an advanced solution for optimizing payments. The latest iteration — 3D Secure 2.2 (3DS 2.2) — is expected to see widespread adoption in 2024. This version is set to introduce several innovative features, including enhanced data capabilities and authentication mechanisms that are optimized for both the device and the user, potentially revolutionizing the checkout process.
PayPal Braintree is rolling out support for many of these features to help merchants maximize revenue and enhance customer experiences. Learn more about what to expect from 3DS 2.2 and how Braintree is pioneering this new era of payment security innovation.
3D Secure was introduced over 20 years ago to better protect credit and debit card payments. It was created by Arcot Systems, a payment authentication network, and was first adopted by Visa.
What does 3DS stand for? “3D” refers to the three domains needed to verify a transaction: the merchant or acquirer domain, the issuer domain, and the interoperability domain.
Using these three domains helps enhance the authentication process. In the case of fraud or chargebacks, 3D Secure can also shift the responsibility for chargebacks from the merchant to the card issuer or bank.
When 3D secure is enabled at checkout, customers are asked to authenticate their account with the card issuer,such as by entering a passcode provided by their bank or answering a security question.
The first major update to 3D Secure — 3D Secure 2.0 — didn’t launch until 2016. 3D Secure 2.0 is also known as EMV 3DS because Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) joined together to create this new standard.
3DS 2.0 brought major changes to the 3DS verification process, especially for mobile users — because 3DS 1.0 was largely created for desktop users before smartphones and mobile payments began to dominate the retail space.
Some of the most significant differences between 3D Secure 1.0 vs. 3D Secure 2.0 include:
3DS 2.2 brings several enhancements to 3D Secure, further streamlining the checkout experience and helping reduce transaction expenses.
To start, 3DS 2.2 offers optimized support for a variety of devices, including mobile devices, PCs, consoles, and even digital televisions, minimizing friction no matter where customers shop. In fact, there are over 230 million connected TV users in the US, according to eMarketer.1 So it's no surprise that major retailers are experimenting with shoppable TV ads to reach engaged viewers and reduce steps to checkout.2
3DS 2.2 allows merchants to pass more than 100 data points to card issuers — a significant increase from the eight data points available with 3DS 1.0. This allows issuers to better assess the risk level of each shopper and make more informed decisions in the authorization process.
3DS 2.2 remains fully compliant with PSD2 and the SCA requirements in the EEA. This means EEA merchants can continue meeting regulations for online payments as they adopt this new standard and undergo any card network updates.
Businesses can leverage new 3DS 2.2 features like delegated and decoupled authentication as well as 3DS Requestor Initiated (3RI) to provide a secure checkout experience.
Here's a closer look at how these features can help improve payment security and yield frictionless transactions:
As an innovator and pioneer in online payments, Braintree will continue to help merchants streamline customer experiences and drive revenue. To that end, PayPal is expanding its Braintree 3DS 2 offering to support many new 3DS 2.2 features.
Learn more about how Braintree’s payment innovations can help merchants navigate this new era of payment security.
The Braintree 3D Secure Rules Manager allows merchants to tailor 3D Secure to their specific business needs without spending any developer resources. With this tool, merchants can create business-specific rules for when and how 3DS is invoked directly from the Braintree Control Panel. Almost 90% of EU Braintree users say that the platform’s customizable interface and checkout flow have met or exceeded their expectations.3
For example, a merchant may want to protect their business from excessive chargebacks. They can use 3D Secure Rules Manager to apply 3DS on transactions above a certain payment threshold and shift liability to the card issuer. Another merchant might want to reduce cart abandonment and increase conversions. They can use 3D Secure Rules Manager to request exemptions for certain types of payments and skip 3DS when applicable, creating a more frictionless customer experience.
PayPal Braintree 3D Secure provides merchants with a range of benefits, including fraud prevention, optimized payments, and enhanced security. In fact, 84% of EU Braintree users agree that the platform offers an advanced approach to data security.3
Here's a closer look at the key features of Braintree 3DS 2:
The new 3DS 2.2 protocol is set to bring key enhancements to 3DS 2, transforming the online payments space. From improved risk scoring to delegated authentication, these features can help merchants maximize revenue and reduce fraud.
Braintree is rolling out customizable tools to support these features and empower merchants to navigate this new era of ecommerce security.
As you prepare for the future of online payments, consider Braintree’s 3DS 2.2 solution to help streamline compliance and deliver more seamless customer experiences across devices.
Learn more about how PayPal can help you prepare for the future of payment processing.
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