Expanded Step-by-Step: Deep Dive into the Lifecycle
🔐 AuthorizationAuthorization authorization The real-time process of verifying that a payment method has sufficient funds or credit limit for a transaction. Results in an authorization code from the issuer. — Instant Decision Making
When a transaction is initiated, the gatewayGateway gateway A service that authorizes and processes card payments for online merchants. Examples include Stripe, Adyen, and PayPal. encrypts and forwards card data to the acquirerAcquirer acquirer A financial institution or payment processor that manages the merchant account, enabling businesses to accept card payments. Acquirers receive all transactions from the merchant and route them to the appropriate issuing bank., who sends it via the card network to the issuerIssuer issuer A bank or financial institution that issues payment cards to consumers. Responsible for authorizations and chargebacks. for approval.
Behind the scenes checks include:
| Check Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| AVS (Address Verification) | Matches billing address with cardholderCardholder cardholder The person or business to whom a payment card is issued. records | Used heavily in US transactionsTransactions transactions Interactions where value is exchanged for goods or services. |
| CVV Check | Validates 3- or 4-digit card verification value | Prevents card-not-present fraudFraud fraud Criminal deception involving unauthorized payments or use of financial credentials. |
| Velocity Rules | Detects rapid or suspicious usage | e.g., 3 attempts in 30 seconds |
| Fraud Scoring | AI models flag patterns based on device/IP/history | e.g., risk score > 0.75 blocks |
🎯 Fraud scoring is powered by machine learning models like VisaVisa visa A leading global payment technology company connecting consumers, businesses, and banks.’s Advanced Authorization and MastercardMasterCard mastercard A global payments network enabling electronic transactions between banks, merchants, and cardholders.’s Decision Intelligence.
🔑 AuthenticationAuthentication authentication A security process used to verify the identity of the user or cardholder. May involve passwords, biometrics, OTPs (one-time passwords), or 3-D Secure. — Know Your Customer (KYC) in Action
Under PSD2 and global regulations, Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is mandatory for many online paymentsOnline Payments online-payments Transactions conducted over the internet using card details, digital wallets, or online banking..
| Method | How It Works | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| OTP via SMS | One-time password via phone | Medium |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint or facial scan | High |
| Token-Based Push | Approve via mobile app | Very High |
🧠 3DS2 (Three-Domain Secure v2) reduces checkout friction and increases conversion by allowing risk-based authentication.
💼 CaptureCapture capture The act of finalizing an authorized payment. Funds are transferred from the cardholder’s account to the merchant., ClearingClearing clearing The exchange of financial information and instructions between acquirers and issuers to facilitate settlement. & Batching
If the authorization is successful, the merchantMerchant merchant An individual or business that accepts payments in exchange for goods or services. proceeds to capture funds. This may be:
- Immediate Capture (used in eCommerceeCommerce ecommerce Commercial transactions conducted electronically on the internet. Includes digital payments, shopping carts, and fraud prevention., food delivery)
- Delayed Capture (used in hotels, ride-hailing)
Captured transactions are then batched for clearing.
Interchange Fee Components (for card transactions):
| Fee Element | Paid To | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Interchange | Issuer | Covers fraud, risk, handling |
| Scheme Fee | Visa/Mastercard | Maintains network infrastructure |
| Acquirer Markup | Acquirer | Revenue & risk coverage |
🏦 SettlementSettlement settlement The process of transferring funds from the issuer to the acquirer. – The Funds Flow Begins
In this stage, the issuer deducts the funds from the customer’s account and sends it to the acquirer, who then settles with the merchant.
Cross-Border Example:
Customer: in Germany → Merchant: in Australia →
Currency Conversion: EUR to AUD
Network Exchange Rate: 1 EUR = 1.60 AUD
Settlement Day (T+2): Funds received in AUD
📘 Reconciliation – Closing the Loop
Merchants need to reconcile their:
- Bank statements vs. settlement reports
- POS records vs. payment logs
- Refunds/chargebacks vs. original sales
🧾 Many large merchants use ERP integrations (e.g., SAP, Oracle Netsuite) or tools like ReconArt and Adyen’s auto-reconciliation module.
📉 Visual: Payment Lifecycle Timeline
The chart below illustrates the approximate time across various stages in card-based payments:
🌐 Alternative Payment Lifecycles
| Payment Type | Key Differences in Lifecycle |
|---|---|
| ACH / Direct Debit | No real-time auth, slow clearing (T+2 or more), revocable |
| Real-Time Payments (RTP) | Immediate settlement, irrevocable, ISO 20022 formats |
| Crypto PaymentsCrypto Payments crypto-payments Payments made using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins, often processed through crypto wallets or exchanges. | Peer-to-peer, blockchainBlockchain blockchain A decentralized digital ledger used to securely record transactions across multiple systems. confirms transaction (few secs to mins) |
| BNPL | Customer pays 0% now; BNPL provider pays merchant up front |
🛠️ Modern Tools Powering the Lifecycle
| Tool/Technology | Role | Example Vendor |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Orchestration | Smart routing, failover, A/B testing | Spreedly, CellPoint Digital |
| Tokenization | Replaces card data with secure token | Apple Pay, Adyen |
| Fraud Engines | Risk scoring, ML rules, device fingerprinting | Riskified, Forter, Vesta |
| Gateway Failover | Dynamic rerouting during downtime | Checkout.com, Stripe Radar |
🌍 Payment Lifecycle Across Regions
| Country | Clearing Speed | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|
| India (UPI) | Instant | Push/pull supported, no MDR for P2M |
| Brazil (Pix) | Real-Time | Open API architecture, low cost |
| Singapore (PayNow) | Real-Time | Integrated with NRIC/mobile ID |
| Australia (NPP) | <15 seconds | Mandated ISO 20022 for data-rich payments |
| USA (ACH) | T+2 Standard | Same Day ACH available with cutoff |
🌐 For official documentation:
💬 Pro Tips for Merchants & FintechFintech fintech Short for financial technology, refers to tech-enabled innovation in financial services. Builders
- Optimize Auth Rates: Use soft-decline recovery, 3DS2 fallback.
- Failover Strategy: Use backup gateways for uptime resilience.
- Currency Conversion Tools: Offer transparency using mid-market rates.
- ChargebackChargeback chargeback A dispute raised by the cardholder that results in reversal of a transaction. Can lead to penalties for merchants. Mitigation: Invest in dispute APIs, evidence management tools.
- PCI DSS Compliance: Ensure card data is tokenized or never stored.
📥 Want a PDF Version?
If you’d like a printable PDF of this guide or a PowerPoint version for training sessions, reach out at PaymentsPedia.com/contact.
Vibhu is a global payments leader and PhD researcher in real-time payments, dedicated to making payments simpler, smarter, and more inclusive. With 20 years of payments experience across Citibank, Adyen, IKEA, Snapdeal, iPayLinks — and markets spanning India, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia— he brings a truly global perspective to the future of money. Vibhu is also the founder of PaymentsPedia.com, a knowledge hub where he shares insights on cards, crypto, cross-border flows, and real-time rails.📧 vibhu@paymentspedia.com | LinkedIn