Book excerpt: Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 There are four main components to the payments ecosystem: the card, the merchant, the acquirer, and the payment network. The card is issued by a bank, and the merchant acquires them and provides them with the tools and facilities to accept and process card-based payments. #2 The anatomy of a swipe is the process of using a debit card. It begins with a transaction at a coffee shop, and it is processed by the merchant and the bank. The bank sends a message to the cardholder’s bank, which approves or disapproves the transaction. #3 When Emmet used his debit card, he most likely went to a physical location of a Moneybin Bank to open a checking account. He was then asked to deposit some funds into the checking account so he could start using his debit card or write checks. #4 The three seconds it takes for Emmet to dip his card at Bucks of Star Coffee is a very brief example of how a lot can happen within that time frame when it comes to card payments.