Card terminal showing approved transaction on small screen

Card terminal displays approved transaction on small screen during electronic payment at Brazilian retail.

About this subject

The card terminal, also known as Point of Sale (POS), is an electronic device used to process payments via credit, debit, or contactless (NFC) cards. In Brazil, these terminals became widespread in the 2000s, replacing older voucher imprint machines. Today, they are manufactured by companies like Ingenico, Verifone, and Cielo, operating on networks such as Visa, Mastercard, Elo, and local brands. The small liquid crystal display (LCD) shows transaction details like amount, payment method, and approval confirmation, often in green or with a checkmark icon. An approved transaction means the issuing bank authorized the credit, releasing the sale to the merchant. The process involves end-to-end encryption and tokenization to protect customer data. In Brazil, card usage grew 15% in 2023 according to ABECS, driven by Pix and contactless payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'transaction approved' mean on the terminal?

It means the issuing bank authorized the payment, confirming sufficient balance or credit and that the transaction was securely processed.

Who are the main POS terminal manufacturers in Brazil?

Key manufacturers include Ingenico, Verifone, Cielo, Gertec, and Perto. They supply equipment to banks and acquirers like Stone, PagSeguro, and Rede.

How does payment card security work?

Data is encrypted from terminal to server, with tokenization replacing the card number with a unique code. Chip and PIN (or biometrics) provide authentication.