next-devin · Oct 28, 2026 · Oct 21, 2026 · Oct 21, 2026 · Oct 26, 2026 · Oct 26, 2026
diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments.mdx
@@ -15,21 +15,53 @@ For EU-based merchants, or merchants selling to EU-based customers, Strong Custo
 | [NEXT Payments](/docs/features/payments/gateways/next-payments) | [Checkout.com](/docs/features/payments/gateways/checkout-com) |
 | [Adyen](/docs/features/payments/gateways/adyen) | [NMI](/docs/features/payments/gateways/nmi) |
 | [Airwallex](/docs/features/payments/gateways/airwallex) | Nuvei |
-| [BlueSnap](/docs/features/payments/gateways/bluesnap) | [PayPal Commerce Platform](/docs/features/payments/gateways/paypal-commerce-platform) |
-| [Braintree](/docs/features/payments/gateways/braintree) | [Stripe Payment Intents](/docs/features/payments/gateways/stripe-payment-intents) |
-| | [Test Gateway](/docs/features/payments/gateways/test-gateway) |
+| [BlueSnap](/docs/features/payments/gateways/bluesnap) | [Stripe Payment Intents](/docs/features/payments/gateways/stripe-payment-intents) |
+| [Braintree](/docs/features/payments/gateways/braintree) | [Test Gateway](/docs/features/payments/gateways/test-gateway) |
 
 <Callout type="info">
 
 To support 3DS2 payments over the Admin API, see the [Developers Guide](https://developers.nextcommerce.com/docs/admin-api/guides/3ds2)
 
 </Callout>
 
+### 3DS Mode
+
+Go to **Settings > Payments**, choose your gateway, and pick a **3DS Mode** on the **3DS** card.
+
+| Mode | What it does |
+| --- | --- |
+| **Off** | Transactions are processed without 3DS. |
+| **Smart** | Skips 3DS in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, unless the order is higher risk. All other orders use 3DS. |
+| **Always On** | Every transaction uses 3DS. |
+
+### Smart Mode
+
+Smart mode lets one gateway serve markets where 3DS is required and markets where it mostly adds friction. It decides per order from the billing address country.
+
+| Billing country | Result |
+| --- | --- |
+| United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Charged without 3DS. Orders above your [risk tolerance](/docs/features/payments/risk-screening) are charged with 3DS and must complete the challenge, unless they score above 90, which are declined. |
+| Any other country | Charged with 3DS, unless [Optimized 3DS2](#optimized-3ds2) skips the challenge |
+
+<Callout type="warn">
+
+Smart mode uses the billing address country, not the card's issuing country. Orders charged without 3DS carry no liability shift.
+
+</Callout>
+
+### 3DS and Risk Screening
+
+[Risk Screening](/docs/features/payments/risk-screening) works with your 3DS Mode:
+
+* **Off:** orders above your risk tolerance are declined.
+* **Smart or Always On:** orders above your risk tolerance are charged with 3DS and must complete the challenge, unless they score above 90, which are declined.
+* Orders that always use 3DS (every Always On order, and Smart orders outside the four countries above) are not risk screened unless **Optimized 3DS2** is on. The 3DS challenge protects them instead.
+
 ### 3DS2 Merchant Profiles
 
-To enable your gateway for 3DS2 payments, navigate to **Settings > Payments** and choose your gateway. On the **3DS** card select **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+Gateways that use a **3DS Merchant Profile** need one before Smart or Always On can authenticate. NEXT Payments is configured for you, and Stripe Payment Intents uses Stripe's own 3DS, so neither needs one.
 
-You must set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. You will be prompted to enter the following values, most of which come from your processing provider or acquiring bank.
+Enter the following values, most of which come from your processing provider or acquiring bank.
 
 | Field | Description |
 | --- | --- |
@@ -39,30 +71,25 @@ You must set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. You will be prompted to enter the fo
 | Merchant ID (MID) | The merchant ID issued for that card network |
 | MCC Code | Your merchant category code |
 
-Acquirer BIN, Merchant ID, and MCC Code are entered per card network — Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover.
-
-Choose to **Save** your Merchant Profile.
+Acquirer BIN, Merchant ID, and MCC Code are entered per card network: Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover. Choose **Save**.
 
 <Callout type="info">
 
-Configuring each card type for 3DS is optional.  For example applying 3DS Merchant Profile values to Visa but not to Mastercard will apply 3DS to Visa transactions, but pass Mastercard transactions as non-3DS.
+Each card network is optional. For example, entering Visa values but not Mastercard values applies 3DS to Visa transactions and processes Mastercard transactions without 3DS.
 
 </Callout>
 
-Once the Merchant Profile is correctly set, your gateway will automatically apply 3DS on payment attempts.
-
 ### Optimized 3DS2
 
-For merchants using payment gateways that offer acceptance of both 3DS and non-3DS payment transactions, Next Commerce offers the ability to optimize the payment flow to reduce friction for customers.
+Choose **Enable Optimized 3D Secure Transactions** under Smart or Always On to skip 3DS challenges. When the card's issuing bank asks for a challenge, the transaction is charged without 3DS instead. Frictionless authentications still pass as 3DS.
 
-When a customer checks out and submits their payment details, a 3DS2 payment authentication is initiated. The 3D Secure server returns an authentication flow response:
+Optimized 3DS2 needs a 3DS Merchant Profile and a merchant account that accepts both 3DS and non-3DS transactions. Higher risk orders always show the challenge.
 
-* _**Frictionless**_ - meaning that the customer's transaction is authenticated without any further input required from the cardholder, or
-* _**Challenge** -_ which requires the customer to enter a one-time password generated by their card issuing bank into a challenge screen to proceed with transaction authentication.
+<Callout type="warn">
 
-Choose **Enable Optimized 3D Secure Transactions** to bypass the **`challenge flow`** and automatically submit such transactions as non-3DS.  For **`frictionless`** authentications, the transaction would pass through as 3DS without any action required by the customer.
+Transactions charged without 3DS carry no liability shift, and card issuers in the EU and UK may decline them. With Smart mode you don't need Optimized 3DS2 to avoid 3DS in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
 
-**3DS2 Optimized** allows merchants to offer customers a fully frictionless checkout experience, while covering up to 70% of their payment transactions with 3DS authentication.
+</Callout>
 
 ### Retry Non-3DS Enrolled Cards
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/adyen.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/adyen.mdx
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ Alternative payment methods such as Klarna and iDEAL are not available on a self
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/airwallex.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/airwallex.mdx
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ Airwallex accounts require [3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) on ever
 
 </Callout>
 
-To configure it yourself, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions** on the gateway's **3DS** card.
+To configure it yourself, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On** on the gateway's **3DS** card.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/bluesnap.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/bluesnap.mdx
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on BlueSnap.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/braintree.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/braintree.mdx
@@ -28,11 +28,11 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on Braintree.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/checkout-com.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/checkout-com.mdx
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on Checkout.com.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/next-payments.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/next-payments.mdx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ To enable a method, apply for it in your NEXT Payments account first. Once appro
 
 There is no **3DS Merchant Profile** to fill in. The Acquirer BIN, Merchant ID (MID), and MCC code for each card network are configured for you, so you never have to request them from an acquiring bank.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+Choose a **3DS Mode** on the gateway's **3DS** card. See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/nmi.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/nmi.mdx
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on NMI.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 ## Additional Settings
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/paypal-commerce-platform.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/paypal-commerce-platform.mdx
@@ -31,11 +31,7 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on this gateway.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
-
-You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
-
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is not supported on PayPal Commerce Platform. The gateway still shows a **3DS** card, but **Off** is the only **3DS Mode** it accepts.
 
 ## Statement Descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/stripe-payment-intents.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/stripe-payment-intents.mdx
@@ -57,11 +57,11 @@ Connect with your Stripe account instead if you need any of these methods.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
-You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
+Stripe Payment Intents uses Stripe's own 3DS authentication, so there is no **3DS Merchant Profile** to set up. **Optimized 3DS2** is not available on this gateway.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#smart-mode) for how Smart mode works.
 
 ## Additional Settings
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/test-gateway.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/gateways/test-gateway.mdx
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ Alternative payment methods are not available on the Test Gateway.
 
 ## 3DS2
 
-[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, choose **Enable 3D Secure Transactions**.
+[3DS2](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) is supported. On the gateway's **3DS** card, set **3DS Mode** to **Smart** or **Always On**.
 
 You then set up a **3DS Merchant Profile**. It needs your merchant name and the country your business is registered in, plus an **Acquirer BIN**, **Merchant ID (MID)**, and **MCC code** for each card network you want authenticated. Your acquiring bank or processing provider issues these values.
 
-See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Optimized 3DS2 and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
+See [3DS2 Payments](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) for Smart mode, Optimized 3DS2, and retrying cards that are not enrolled.
 
 Use this gateway to rehearse the authentication flow before switching to a live one.
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/index.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/index.mdx
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Each gateway has its own guide covering setup, credentials, supported payment me
 | [Braintree](/docs/features/payments/gateways/braintree) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
 | [Checkout.com](/docs/features/payments/gateways/checkout-com) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
 | [NMI](/docs/features/payments/gateways/nmi) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
-| [PayPal Commerce Platform](/docs/features/payments/gateways/paypal-commerce-platform) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
+| [PayPal Commerce Platform](/docs/features/payments/gateways/paypal-commerce-platform) | No | No | Yes | No |
 | [Paysafe](/docs/features/payments/gateways/paysafe) | No | Yes | Yes | No |
 | [Stripe Payment Intents](/docs/features/payments/gateways/stripe-payment-intents) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
 | [Test Gateway](/docs/features/payments/gateways/test-gateway) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ Once a gateway has been added to your store, you can specify:
 * Currencies Supported - leave blank to accept all currencies
 * Accepted Card Types - leave blank to accept all card types
 * Payment flow (Charge, or [Authorize & Capture](/docs/features/payments/authorize-and-capture-payments))
-* Optional: enable 3DS2 support and assign a [3DS Merchant Profile](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds2-merchant-profiles) to the gateway
+* Optional: set a [3DS Mode](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds-mode) and assign a [3DS Merchant Profile](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds2-merchant-profiles) to the gateway
 * Optional: enable cascading [Declined Initial Charge Attempts](/docs/features/payments/payment-failure-cascading)
 * Optional: for supported gateways, specify a statement descriptor to override your payment provider's default descriptor
 

diff --git a/content/docs/features/payments/risk-screening.mdx b/content/docs/features/payments/risk-screening.mdx
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@
 title: "Risk Screening"
 description: "Set your risk tolerance and review blocked checkout attempts"
 ---
-Next Commerce scores every checkout from 0 to 100 before payment is taken. If a checkout's score is above your store's risk tolerance, the payment is declined and no order is created.
+Next Commerce scores checkouts from 0 to 100 before payment is taken. If a checkout's score is above your store's risk tolerance, the payment is declined and no order is created.
+
+On a gateway with its [3DS Mode](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds-mode) set to **Smart** or **Always On**, higher risk checkouts are charged with 3DS instead of being declined. Checkouts scored above 90 are still declined. See [3DS and Risk Screening](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds-and-risk-screening).
 
 ## Review Blocked Checkouts
 

diff --git a/content/docs/start-here/get-started/add-payment-providers.mdx b/content/docs/start-here/get-started/add-payment-providers.mdx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Once a Gateway has been added to your store, you can specify
 * Supported Currencies
 * Accepted Card Types
 * Payment Flow (Charge, or [Authorize & Capture](/docs/features/payments/authorize-and-capture-payments))
-* Enable [3DS](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments) support (optional), and assign a [3DS Merchant Profile](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds2-merchant-profiles) to the gateway
+* Set a [3DS Mode](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds-mode) (optional), and assign a [3DS Merchant Profile](/docs/features/payments/3ds2-payments#3ds2-merchant-profiles) to the gateway
 * Connect an [Apple Pay](/docs/features/payments/apple-pay) profile (optional)
 * Connect a [Google Pay](/docs/features/payments/google-pay) profile (optional)
 * Enable [Alternative Payment Methods](/docs/features/payments/stripe-apms), including Affirm, Klarna, TWINT, Swish, Stripe Link, iDEAL, Bancontact, and other European bank payments (optional)