Visa Merchant Business News Digest

Your source for the top merchant-focused stories. Interested in learning more about a product, service or rule mentioned? Contact your Visa rep or acquirer.

Recent News

Stay informed with the latest Visa news tailored for merchants, and explore recent updates on Visa services, products, and rules. Gain valuable insights to help you navigate the evolving payment landscape.

Data Standards for Digital Commerce Authentication Program

Region: U.S.

• 18 April 2026, the Digital Commerce Authentication Program (DCAP) will launch in the U.S. Visa is reminding acquirers and merchants that they must ensure all enhanced data submitted to Visa meets the data quality standards. Transactions that do not meet the standards will not qualify for DCAP and may be subject to compliance enforcement.

Update to Automated Fuel Dispensers 0120 Acquirer Confirmation Advice

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Effective 24 October 2026 with the VisaNet Business Enhancements release, Visa will expand the existing Merchant Category Code (MCC) 5542—Automated Fuel Dispensers (AFD) 0120 acquirer confirmation advice to include MCC 5541—Service Stations (With or without Ancillary Services). This article serves as an early communication to notify all stakeholders of upcoming changes that will apply globally across all regions and all Visa card products.

Digital Commerce Services Program, Tokenization Program and Digital Commerce Authentication Program Will Launch in Canada

Region: Canada

• Visa is introducing new digital commerce initiatives in Canada to help merchants enhance payment security, improve authorization rates, and reduce fraud. These updates expand the use of tokenization and enhanced data sharing, including participation in the Digital Commerce Authentication Program.

Best Practices for Merchants: Leveraging the Original Transaction ID for Recurring Payment Management

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Visa is providing guidance to support more effective management of recurring and other merchant initiated transactions (MITs) through the use of the Original Transaction ID (OTID).

Visa Will Sunset the Digital Authentication Framework 3-D Secure Program

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Visa will sunset the Digital Authentication Framework (DAF) 3 D Secure (3DS) program in September 2026 as it transitions to newer authentication methods designed to reduce friction while maintaining strong security for e-commerce transactions.

Compelling Evidence 3.0 qualification through Visa Secure will be enabled in U.S. region

Region: U.S.

• Compelling Evidence 3.0 (CE3.0) is intended to combat first-party fraud misuse.

Guidance for a Timely Migration to Advanced Encryption Standard

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Visa is recommending that clients begin migrating to AES-based cryptography across their payment systems before the end of 2030.

Visa Flex Credential Launched in the U.S.

Regions: U.S.

• Visa recognizes these challenges and is dedicated to improving the payment experience through innovative technology. To that effect, Visa launched Visa Flex Credential (VFC) in April 2024.

Visa Multiple-Account Access Service (VMAAS) has been renamed to Visa Flexible Credential (VFC)

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

Reminder: Visa Secure Acquirers Must Support EMV 3DS 2.2.0

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Visa is reminding all acquirers that their merchants should send authentication transactions on the highest protocol supported by the issuer.

Reminder: Consumer Bill Payment Service Expansion and Requirements

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC (excluding Argentina)

• The Consumer Bill Payment Service program will be expanded effective 13 April 2024 to make Merchant Category Code (MCC) 8111—Legal Services and Attorneys eligible globally.

Visa Secure EMV 3DS SDK Encryption Key/Certificate Update

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• The current EMV 3DS SDK encryption key certificate will expire on August 22, 2024.

Authorization Response Code Update, Alignment and Reminders

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Effective 13 April 2024, Visa will re-classify three existing decline response codes.

Visa Platform Connect Merchant Processing Impacts: April 2024 VisaNet Business Enhancements Release

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Effective 12 April 2024, Visa rolled out authorization and capture processing enhancements.

Authorization Framework Will Be Updated To Simplify Authorization Processing Time Frames: Information for U.S. Acquirers

Regions: U.S.

• Effective 13 April 2024, Visa will make changes to its authorization framework.

Restrictions on Standing Instruction MITs Will Be Delayed to July 2025

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• Visa is delaying plans to restrict standing instruction merchant-initiated transactions (MITs).

Frequently Asked Questions for Compelling Evidence 3.0 (CE3.0)

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC (excluding Argentina)

• The latest dispute-related hot topics include dispute guidance, reminders, and announcements.

Data-Driven Insights for the Travel Industry Available in Global Travel Intentions Study

Regions: U.S., Canada, AP, CEMEA, EU, LAC

• The 2023 edition of Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study is now available for clients to learn about international travelers’ needs and the pain points of payments while traveling.