Checkout.com Launches Visa Payment Passkey to Eliminate Checkout Friction

Checkout.com has launched Visa Payment Passkey (VPP) to streamline online authentication for merchants across the UK and Europe. By replacing traditional one-time passcodes with device-based biometrics, the integration aims to reduce cart abandonment and improve security, addressing a critical friction point in the digital checkout experience for high-frequency retail and digital service providers.

What was announced

Checkout.com is now live with Visa Payment Passkey, a solution designed to replace one-time passcodes (OTP) and other manual verification steps with a cardholder’s native device unlock method, such as a fingerprint or face scan. The technology is integrated directly into Checkout.com’s existing secure infrastructure, allowing eligible merchants to implement the feature without redesigning their checkout flows. If a passkey is unavailable, the system automatically reverts to traditional verification methods to ensure transaction continuity.

The rollout is occurring in phases, initially targeting selected merchants in the UK and Europe. The solution is specifically tailored for first-time and returning customers, with a focus on businesses that handle frequent, repeat transactions, such as marketplaces, food delivery platforms, retailers, and digital service providers. By utilizing biometrics, the system aims to maintain strong security standards while removing the friction often associated with manual code entry.

Beyond immediate consumer authentication, Checkout.com is also supporting Visa’s Trusted Agent Protocol. This initiative is designed to prepare for the next phase of digital commerce, where AI agents initiate purchases. The protocol helps merchants distinguish between legitimate AI shopping agents and malicious automated traffic, ensuring that both the identity of the buyer and their purchase intent are verified in an increasingly AI-driven environment.

"Every one-time passcode is a point where a customer can walk away. Visa Payment Passkey lets returning shoppers authenticate the way they already unlock their phone, making checkout both safer and simpler. Because it runs on the authentication infrastructure our merchants already use, they can offer it without rebuilding their checkout."

Rami Josef, Senior Product Director at Checkout.com

The companies involved

Checkout.com is a global digital payments company that provides end-to-end payment processing solutions for large-scale international merchants. The firm has established itself as a significant player in the fintech ecosystem, with a focus on simplifying complex payment landscapes through a single, unified platform. It has previously collaborated with major global brands to expand digital commerce capabilities and streamline payment flows across various geographies.

Visa is one of the world’s largest payment technology companies, facilitating electronic funds transfers globally through its branded credit, debit, and prepaid cards. As a dominant force in the market, Visa provides the underlying infrastructure for a vast majority of the world's digital transactions. The company has been increasingly focused on evolving its security protocols to meet the demands of modern e-commerce, moving away from legacy authentication methods like SMS-based codes toward more secure, biometric-driven standards. Both companies operate at the intersection of security and user experience, aiming to balance the rigorous requirements of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) with the demand for frictionless consumer journeys.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the strategic developments of both companies as they navigate the evolving digital payments landscape. Recently, Samsung Taps Checkout.com for Global Digital Commerce and Samsung Pay Expansion, highlighting Checkout.com's role in supporting major tech ecosystems. Visa has been equally active, with FF News reporting on how Vivid and Visa Launch Spend Management Suite to Kill 'Zombie Subscriptions' and how SpareBank 1 Enhances Digital Banking App with Snowdrop Solutions and Visa. Furthermore, the focus on automated commerce was previously noted when Visa, BILL and Billtrust Launch First Live Pilot for Trusted AI Agent B2B Payments, signaling a broader industry shift toward AI-integrated financial services.

What this means

The move toward biometric passkeys represents a significant shift in the battle against checkout friction, which remains a primary cause of lost revenue in e-commerce. By moving away from the friction-heavy OTP model, Visa and Checkout.com are putting pressure on legacy authentication providers who still rely on SMS-based verification. The inclusion of the Trusted Agent Protocol is particularly telling; it suggests the industry is already bracing for a future where the "customer" is not always a human, but an AI agent. This raises critical questions for the sector regarding liability and intent verification in a world of autonomous commerce.