Biometric Authentication in EMV 3DS – The Complete Technical Guide 2026

[Student]

(From EMVCo 3DS Protocol Specification v2.3+, Visa Secure, Mastercard Identity Check, and industry reports – December 2025)

Biometric authentication is the preferred challenge method in EMV 3D Secure (3DS) version 2.3+ for high-risk transactions. It provides strong customer authentication (SCA) under PSD2 and global regulations while minimizing friction.

Key 2025 Stats (EMVCo, Visa, Mastercard):

• >60 % of 3DS challenge flows use biometrics (up from 35 % in 2023).
• Biometric 3DS transactions: >$2 trillion globally.
• Fraud reduction: 90–98% on biometric-challenged transactions.
• User preference: 88%+ prefer biometrics over OTP (Visa survey).

How Biometric Authentication Works in 3DS (Step-by-Step – 2025 Process)​

1. Transaction Initiation
   • Customer enters card on merchant site/app.
   • Merchant sends Authentication Request (AReq) to Directory Server (via 3DS Server).
2. Risk-Based Scoring
   • Issuer ACS receives 100+ data elements (device fingerprint, IP, behavior).
   • Low risk → frictionless (no challenge).
   • High risk → challenge required.
3. Biometric Challenge Flow
   • ACS decides biometric challenge (preferred over OTP).
   • Out-of-Band (OOB)via issuer app:
     • Push notification to bank app.
     • User opens app → biometric prompt (Face ID/fingerprint/iris).
     • Device Secure Enclave/TEE verifies biometric against stored template.
   • In-Band(browser/app):
     • WebAuthn/FIDO2 passkey (biometric device key).
     • Browser prompts → device authenticates.
4. Authentication Response
   • Success → ACS signs response with cryptogram (ARes).
   • Merchant receives approval → completes transaction.
5. Fallback
   • Biometric fail → PIN/OTP.

Biometric Types Supported in 3DS 2.3+ (2025):

Type	Support Level	Key Implementations	Real Accuracy	Notes
Fingerprint	Highest	Apple Touch ID, Android Fingerprint	99%+	Most common
Facial Recognition	High	Apple Face ID, Android Face Unlock	98–99%	Fastest growing
Iris Scanning	Medium	Samsung Iris (legacy), specialized banks	99.99%+	High security
Palm Vein	Emerging	Mastercard pilots	99.99%+	Contactless
Voice Recognition	Medium	Bank call centers + app	95–98 %	OOB fallback
Behavioral	Integrated	Passive during session	94–98%	Silent monitoring

Technical Details – Biometric in 3DS Protocol (2025 Specs)​

Data Elements for Biometric (from 3DS 2.3+):

• Device Channel: APP or BRW (browser).
• SDK Interface: For in-app biometric.
• Biometric Type: Finger, face, iris (in SDK data).
• User Verification Method: BIOMETRICS (preferred).

OOB Biometric Flow (Most Common 2025):

• 3DS Requestor App → push to issuer app.
• Issuer app → biometric challenge.
• Success → OOB Authentication Value (signed).
• Returned in ARes.

In-Band (WebAuthn/FIDO2 Integration – Growing Fast):

• 3DS uses FIDO passkeys for biometric auth.
• Browser → WebAuthn → device biometric → signed challenge.

Cryptogram Generation:

• Biometric success → CAVV (Cardholder Authentication Verification Value) or AAV generated.
• Signed with issuer keys → sent to merchant.

Real-World Implementations (2025)​

Provider	Biometric Focus	Key Features	Fraud Reduction
Visa Secure	Face + fingerprint	Biometric challenge + delegated auth	94%+
Mastercard Identity Check	Multimodal (face, palm, fingerprint)	Biometric Checkout Program	96%+
Apple Pay	Face ID/Touch ID	Seamless in 3DS	< 0.1% fraud
Google Pay	Fingerprint/face	Android integration	< 0.15%

Mastercard Biometric Checkout (2025 rollout):

• Face/palm scan → no PIN/OTP → 96 %+ approval.

Bottom Line – December 2025​

Biometric authentication in 3DS is the preferred SCA method – fast, secure, user-friendly. Fingerprint + face dominate, palm/iris growing. FIDO/WebAuthn integration accelerating passwordless.

For merchants: Enable biometric challenges via gateway SDKs.

Stay safe – biometrics make 3DS nearly unbreakable.

Your choice.