Online transactions
An online transaction is an electronic payment processed over the internet — from the impulse to buy in the webshop to the credit on the Comerciante account.
Online transactions
An online transaction comprises the entire electronic payment process on the internet: from the buyer entering their payment details in the checkout, to authorisation by the issuer, to the credit on the Comerciante's account.
Technically, an online transaction goes through several stages: The buyer enters their payment details → the payment gateway encrypts and transmits the data → the acquirer forwards the authorisation request to the card network → the issuer approves or declines → upon approval, the amount is reserved → upon settlement, the amount is paid out to the Comerciante.
The security of online transactions is ensured by TLS encryption, 3-D Secure, tokenisation, and PCI DSS. For Comerciantes, it is important to use a PCI DSS-compliant PSP and never to process or store sensitive card data in their own system.
Online transactions examples
A customer pays in an online shop via Visa. The transaction is authorised in under 3 seconds, and the comerciante receives a confirmation.
A TWINT payment in the online checkout: the customer scans a QR-code, confirms in the app, and the payment is processed immediately.
A PSP bundles all online transactions of the day and transfers the total amount minus fees to the comerciante account (settlement).
Online Transactions FAQ
What is an online transaction?
An online transaction is an electronic payment over the Internet — from data entry in the checkout to the credit on the Comerciante account.
How secure are online transactions?
Online transactions are protected by TLS encryption, 3D Secure, tokenisation, and PCI DSS. Sensitive card data is never transmitted or stored in plain text.
How long does an online transaction take?
Authorisation takes 1–3 seconds. Payout (settlement) to the comerciante takes place daily, weekly or monthly, depending on the PSP.
What is settlement in payment processing?
Settlement refers to the actual transfer of the transaction amount to the comerciante. The PSP pools the transactions and pays out the total amount minus fees to the comerciante account.
