Universal merchant platform for payment authentication

A method that supports processing of a transaction conducted between a first party and a second party, wherein the first party accepts payment via a plurality of different payment options selectable by the second party, said plurality of different payment options being associated with a plurality of different authentication protocols prescribed therefor, said method comprising:

• receiving payment information over the Internet at a server operatively connected to the Internet, wherein a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction said is determinable from said payment information, and said server is equipped to format and route messages over the Internet in different manners to accommodate the plurality of different authentication protocols;
• determining from the payment information received at the server which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information;
• selecting, in accordance with the determination made, a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server;
• and,
• obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction, said authentication determination being produced in accordance with the selected authentication protocol.