Card Networks
Card networks are global financial infrastructure platforms that facilitate electronic payment transactions between merchants, banks, and consumers. They provide the underlying technology, rules, and security protocols that enable credit, debit, and prepaid card payments to be processed securely and efficiently across different financial institutions and geographic regions. Major examples include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Developers should learn about card networks when building payment processing systems, e-commerce platforms, or fintech applications that handle card-based transactions. Understanding card networks is crucial for implementing secure payment gateways, complying with industry standards like PCI DSS, and optimizing transaction flows for reliability and cost-efficiency. This knowledge is essential for roles in financial technology, retail systems, or any application involving digital payments.