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Improve authorization rates and reduce interchange costs with network-level tokenization.

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What are Network Tokens?

Network Tokens are dynamic card substitutes provisioned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). They replace static card numbers with secure tokens, providing significant benefits:
BenefitImpact
Higher Auth Rates+5-10% improvement
Lower Interchange-3-5 basis points
Auto Card UpdatesCards updated automatically when reissued
Less Fraud-40% reduction

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How It Works

  1. Card is tokenized with Atlas
  2. Atlas provisions a network token from Visa/Mastercard
  3. Payments use the network token + cryptogram
  4. Higher approval rates and lower costs

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Create Network Token

curl -X POST https://api.atlas.co/functions/v1/network-tokens \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer cs_client_secret_xxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "session_id": "sess_abc123",
    "token_id": "tok_card_xyz",
    "request_cryptogram": true
  }'
Parameters:
ParameterTypeRequiredDescription
session_idstringYesPayment session ID
token_idstringYesCard token from tokenization
request_cryptogrambooleanNoGenerate cryptogram immediately (default: false)
Response: 
{
  "networkTokenId": "nt_abc123...",
  "network": "visa",
  "status": "active",
  "tokenExpiryMonth": "12",
  "tokenExpiryYear": "2028",
  "cryptogram": "AgAAAAAABk4...",
  "cryptogramType": "TAVV"
}

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Generate Cryptogram

Cryptograms are single-use and required for each transaction: 
curl -X POST https://api.atlas.co/functions/v1/network-tokens/nt_abc123/cryptogram \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer cs_client_secret_xxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "session_id": "sess_abc123"
  }'
Response: 
{
  "cryptogram": "AgAAAAAABk4...",
  "cryptogramType": "TAVV",
  "expiresAt": "2025-01-21T12:10:00Z"
}
Note: Cryptograms expire after 10 minutes.

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Get Network Token

curl "https://api.atlas.co/functions/v1/network-tokens/nt_abc123?session_id=sess_abc123" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer cs_client_secret_xxx"

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Delete Network Token

Suspend a network token when a customer removes their saved card: 
curl -X DELETE "https://api.atlas.co/functions/v1/network-tokens/nt_abc123?session_id=sess_abc123" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer cs_client_secret_xxx"

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SDK Integration

// Create network token
const networkToken = await Atlas.createNetworkToken({
  sessionId: session.id,
  tokenId: cardToken.id,
  requestCryptogram: true
});

// Use for payment
await Atlas.confirmPayment({
  sessionId: session.id,
  networkTokenId: networkToken.networkTokenId,
  cryptogram: networkToken.cryptogram
});

// Generate new cryptogram for subsequent payment
const { cryptogram } = await Atlas.getCryptogram(networkToken.networkTokenId);

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Token Lifecycle

EventDescription
CreatedNetwork token provisioned and active
UpdatedCard details changed (new expiry, etc.)
SuspendedTemporarily deactivated
DeletedPermanently removed

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Automatic Updates

Network tokens automatically update when:
  • Card is reissued with new expiry
  • Card number changes (rare)
  • Account status changes
You receive a webhook when tokens are updated: 
{
  "type": "network_token.updated",
  "data": {
    "networkTokenId": "nt_abc123",
    "previousExpiry": "12/2025",
    "newExpiry": "12/2028"
  }
}

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Supported Networks

  • Visa (VTS)
  • Mastercard (MDES)
  • American Express
  • Discover (coming soon)