Fiuu Tokenization: Proprietary vs Network Tokens for Secure Transactions

August 13, 2025

What is Tokenization?

Tokenization is a secure payment technology that replaces the traditional 16-digit card number, also known as the primary account number, with a unique digital token.

Fiuu Token Service process utilises a secure network token generated by trusted card schemes such as Visa. By adopting this approach, Fiuu's tokenised transactions provide robust protection against potential data breaches, as card details are never exposed outside the card scheme at any point.

Benefits of Tokenization

Omni-channel touchpoints via phone apps, website or in-store.

Card details are securely stored using tokenization technology.

Swift checkout experience.

Increase in members card base & customer loyalty

Embark on the online and mobile purchase trend

Embark on the growing online and mobile purchase trend.

Reduce cart abandon rate.

Type of tokenization

	Proprietary token	Network token
Ownership	Merchant-owned, and can be shared across sub-merchants. Can be converted to FPAN or network tokens upon request.	Scheme-generated token for an individual account. Not reversible.
Payment Processing	Requires token mapping at the acquirer level before processing.	Direct processing without intermediate conversion.
Acquirer Flexibility	Works with a single acquirer (closed-loop).	Works with multiple acquirers (open-loop).
Security	Standard token security with merchant-specific format.	Enhanced Device PAN (DPAN) security throughout the transaction.

Proprietary Tokenization

First Time Tokenization

Fiuu requests network token on behalf of the merchant and converts it into a proprietary token.
Then Fiuu provides the proprietary token to the merchant for future transactions.

Fiuu Proprietary Tokenization - First time tokenization

Payment Process

Merchant sends proprietary token to Fiuu to initiate payment.
Fiuu maps proprietary token back to corresponding network token for the card scheme to process the payment.
This system operates in closed-loop, limiting transactions to a single acquirer.

Fiuu Proprietary Tokenization - Payment process

Network Tokenization

First Time Tokenization

Fiuu requests network token from card scheme on behalf of the merchant; Then passes directly to merchant without conversion.
Merchant stores network token in original format for transactions.

Fiuu Network Tokenization - First time tokenization

Payment Process

Merchant uses stored network token to initiate transactions through acquirer host.
Network token works with multiple acquirers within same card scheme.
Card scheme processes network token as a Device PAN (DPAN) for enhanced security.

Fiuu Network Tokenization - Payment process