Mastercard’s Vision: Ending Manual Card Entry for Online Payments in Europe by 2030
In the near future, the process of purchasing goods and services online is set to undergo a significant transformation.
Starting in 2030, Mastercard plans to eliminate the requirement for Europeans to manually input their card numbers when making online purchases, regardless of the platform or device they use.
During a fireside chat with CNBC scheduled for Tuesday, Mastercard will announce its initiative to tokenize all cards issued on its European network by 2030. This means replacing the familiar 16-digit card number used in transactions with a randomly generated “token.”
The company has collaborated extensively with banks, fintech firms, merchants, and other partners to phase out manual card entry for e-commerce by the end of the decade across Europe. Instead, a streamlined one-click button will be implemented across all online platforms.
Mastercard emphasizes that this transition will enhance security against fraudulent activities targeting consumers’ cards. Moreover, users will no longer need to repeatedly enter passwords for payments, as Mastercard introduces passkeys to replace them. Biometric authentication, such as thumbprint recognition, will facilitate one-click payments at checkout.
Tokens used for cards stored in merchants’ pages or electronic wallets will automatically update whenever cards are replaced or renewed, ensuring seamless transactions.
Fraud Reduction Efforts
Mastercard predicts that achieving 100% tokenization in e-commerce will lead to a significant reduction in fraud rates. Research from Juniper Research suggests that online payment fraud losses could exceed $91 billion by 2028, amounting to over $362 billion globally in the next five years.
Current Adoption and Future Prospects The adoption of tokenization has been growing at a rapid rate of 50% annually and currently secures about 25% of all e-commerce transactions globally across Mastercard’s network.
Mastercard’s decision to roll out these changes in Europe aligns with the continent’s history of leading payments innovation, including contactless payments and online banking advancements that have broadened access to financial products.
Valerie Nowak, Executive Vice President of Product and Innovation at Mastercard Europe, expressed confidence that achieving their vision by 2030 will benefit shoppers, retailers, and card issuers alike.
Looking Ahead
Mastercard envisions its transition to this new “embedded” payment system as comparable in significance to the shift to chip and PIN technology or the widespread adoption of contactless payments. This technology aims to make online shopping experiences as seamless as in-store contactless payments across various devices, including smartwatches, home assistants, and vehicles.
For instance, Mastercard’s collaboration with Mercedes-Benz enables customers to utilize a fingerprint sensor in their cars for digital payments at over 3,600 service stations throughout Germany.
In conclusion, Mastercard’s initiative represents a bold step towards revolutionizing online payments, promising enhanced security, convenience, and a more streamlined user experience across Europe by 2030.
