3D Secure Authentication

    3D Secure Authentication
    (EMV 3DS)

    Full implementation of 3D Secure (EMV 3DS) that adds a strong cardholder authentication layer to CNP transactions.

    Reduces fraud and shifts liability to the issuer. Includes native integration with Visa Secure, Mastercard Identity Check y Elo Protect.

    3D Secure Authentication (3DS 2.x)

    Valor para cada tipo de negocio

    Fraud reduction

    : elimination of 100% of fraud chargebacks on authenticated transactions — liability is transferred to the issuer.

    Liability shift

    : when 3DS authentication succeeds, fraud responsibility falls on the issuer, not on the merchant.

    Higher approval rate

    : 3DS 2.x reaches a frictionless rate of 95%+ — the user does not perceive the challenge in most transactions.

    Regulatory compliance

    : automatically complies with PSD2 (Europe) and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements in each market.

    Smart application

    : the system evaluates the risk of each transaction and applies 3DS only when needed, minimizing friction.

    Metrics

    Measurable impact on your operation

    Data based on averages from Visa and Mastercard 3DS 2.x programs globally.

    0%+Frictionless rate — Of transactions authenticate without user intervention.
    -0%Fraud reduction — In transactions authenticated with 3DS 2.x vs. without authentication.
    +0%Approval improvement — Authenticated transactions have higher issuer approval rate.
    0Network coverage — Visa Secure, Mastercard Identity Check and Elo Protect (Brazil).

    Migration

    3DS 1.0 vs. 3DS 2.x: why migrate now

    Most merchants in LATAM still operate with legacy 3DS 1.0 implementations that generate friction, abandonment and lower approval rates. 3DS 2.x solves each of those limitations.

    3DS 1.0 (Legacy)

    3DS 2.x (EMV 3DS)

    User experience

    Redirect to bank page

    Background authentication (frictionless)

    Frictionless rate

    < 5%

    95%+

    Native mobile support

    No — browser redirect only

    Yes — native iOS/Android SDK

    Data sent to issuer

    ~15 data points

    100+ context data points

    App compatibility

    Not compatible

    In-app authentication via SDK

    Authentication speed

    15-30 seconds (with redirect)

    < 2 seconds (frictionless)

    Abandonment rate

    20-30% on redirect

    < 2% (user doesn't notice the flow)

    Note: Visa and Mastercard are gradually disabling 3DS 1.0 in global markets. Migration to 3DS 2.x is not optional — it's a matter of time. With Akua, migration is done without changes to the existing integration.

    Authentication experience

    Frictionless vs. challenge flow

    In 95% of transactions, the user doesn't notice the authentication process. The issuer evaluates 100+ data points in background and approves without intervention. Only in high-risk transactions is a challenge presented — and even then, the experience is native and optimized.

    Frictionless flow — user doesn't notice 3DS

    User clicks "Pay"

    $185.00 USD — Visa •••• 4521

    Background authentication

    100+ data points sent to issuer — user sees nothing

    Issuer approves without challenge

    Low risk → frictionless authentication

    Payment approved

    Authenticated transaction with liability shift

    Authentication successful

    Total time: < 2 seconds. User only saw "Payment approved".

    Technical advantages

    Invisible technical advantages

    3DS 2.x architecture

    Native EMV 3DS 2.x implementation with full protocol support. No dependency on legacy 3DS 1.0 nor redirects to the issuer's ACS.

    3DS flow orchestration

    The system manages the full flow: from sending the AReq to the Directory Server to receiving the ARes, including handling the challenge when required.

    Smart decisioning

    Evaluates in real time whether the transaction requires 3DS authentication based on risk profile, amount, issuer and merchant vertical.

    PSD2/SCA compliance and exemptions

    Automatically applies allowed SCA exemptions (low-value, trusted beneficiary, TRA) to maximize the frictionless rate without compromising compliance.

    Frictionless optimization

    Sends 100+ data points to the issuer to maximize the probability of frictionless authentication. Includes device fingerprint, geolocation and behavioral data.

    Multi-network support and certification

    Active certification with Visa Secure, Mastercard Identity Check and Elo Protect. Each network is managed with its specific protocol configuration.

    Native mobile authentication

    Native iOS and Android SDK that runs 3DS authentication inside the app, with no browser redirects or context loss.

    Authentication analytics

    Dashboard with metrics for frictionless rate, challenge rate, abandonment rate and response times by issuer, network and merchant.

    Fraud engine integration

    3DS authentication data combines with Akua's fraud engine to create a unified risk profile that improves both systems.

    Retry logic and fallback handling

    If authentication fails or the ACS does not respond, the system runs configurable fallbacks: retry, downgrade to 3DS 1.0 or process without 3DS based on the merchant's policy.

    Liability shift and chargeback protection

    Guarantees liability shift on successfully authenticated transactions. Includes authentication evidence (CAVV/AAV) for disputes with the networks.

    Credential tokenization

    Integration with network tokenization to securely store credentials and improve authentication rates on recurring transactions.

    Protect your transactions with
    3D Secure

    Frictionless authentication. Liability shift. PSD2/SCA compliance.