Blink unveils Card Present API for real-time ISV pay

Blink Payment has launched a Card Present API that aims to help software providers who want to integrate in-person card payments into their platforms.

The company said the API targets Integrated Software Vendor partners and merchants. It links in-person payments with real-time reporting inside an ISV's system.

ISV integration

Blink Payment described card present development as a slow and expensive process for many ISVs. It highlighted integration work, terminal setup, compliance and ongoing maintenance as common obstacles.

The company said its Card Present API runs as a cloud-based service. They noted that ISVs can add card present payment functions with limited setup once they integrate the API.

Blink Payment also said it manages payment terminal setup, connectivity and support after an ISV completes its integration. That shifts operational work away from the software provider and merchant, according to the company.

"In-person payments have long been the missing piece of a truly unified commerce experience. ISVs face huge challenges in developing, integrating and managing bespoke in-person capabilities. Quite simply, Blink's Card Present API removes these pain points," said Ben Cohen, Co-founder and CEO, Blink Payment.

Reporting focus

Blink Payment said the Card Present API links payment acceptance with reporting that updates in real time. It positioned the reporting element as a key feature for merchants running in-store transactions through ISV platforms.

The company said in-person transaction data often appears with a delay. They mentioned transactions typically take, on average, 1-3 business days to become visible without instant reporting. It said that delay can affect operational efficiency and reconciliation time.

"The Card Present API represents a significant evolution for Blink Payment and for ISV partners who want to offer a fully connected, modern payment experience without months of development. It helps merchants make faster decisions, reduce reconciliation effort and understand their business as it is happening," the CEO said.

Omnichannel view

Blink Payment said the API presents online and in-person payments side by side. They declared that ISVs and merchants can view transactions instantly in both the ISV's platform and the Blink Payment platform.

The company said merchants often manage online and in-store payments as separate streams. It said this can lead to separate reconciliation processes. Blink Payment said the Card Present API changes that by presenting both payment types together.

Terminal support

Blink Payment noted the Card Present API will initially run on two Verifone Android-based terminals, the T650p and P630. It described these models as among Verifone's most popular Android-based terminals.

The company stated that merchants receive terminals configured and connected through Blink Payment. The merchants do not need a separate Verifone setup.

Blink Payment was founded in 2012. The company provides online and in-person payment acceptance and tracking through a single platform. It also supports payment methods including open banking, payment links, virtual terminal, card machines and payment APIs.

Blink Payment said it will start with the two Verifone devices and run the Card Present API through its cloud-based service for ISV partners and their merchant customers.