Consumer Presented Mode (CPM)
Consumer Presented Mode (CPM) is a QR payment model where the customer generates or displays a QR code using a payment app or mobile wallet, and the merchant scans the QR to initiate the payment transaction.
What Is Consumer Presented Mode?
Consumer Presented Mode (CPM) is an EMVCo QR payment workflow in which the customer presents a QR code generated by a payment application or mobile wallet. The merchant scans the QR code to retrieve payment credentials or transaction-related information.
CPM is commonly used in mobile wallet ecosystems, transit payment systems, ticketing platforms, loyalty systems, and customer-based digital payment infrastructures where the consumer controls the QR generation process.
EMVCo QR specifications help standardize the structure of wallet QR payloads, enabling interoperability between mobile wallets, merchant acceptance systems, banks, and payment networks.
Consumer Presented Payment Flow
In Consumer Presented Mode, the customer initiates the payment by displaying a QR code on their mobile device. The merchant scans the QR using a POS system, payment terminal, or merchant application to complete the payment transaction.
Customer
Displays wallet QR
Merchant
Scans customer QR
Payment Network
Processes transaction
Key Characteristics of CPM
Wallet-Controlled QR
The QR code is generated by the customer’s wallet or payment application.
Merchant Scanning
Merchant systems scan the QR instead of customers scanning merchant QR codes.
Mobile-First Experience
CPM is heavily optimized for smartphone wallets and mobile payment flows.
Interoperable Wallet Ecosystem
EMVCo specifications improve compatibility across different wallet providers.
CPM vs Merchant Presented Mode
| Feature | CPM | MPM |
|---|---|---|
| QR Generator | Customer wallet | Merchant system |
| QR Scanner | Merchant device | Customer device |
| Common Use Cases | Wallet ecosystems & transit | Retail merchant payments |
| Customer Interaction | Show QR to merchant | Scan merchant QR |
| Typical Environment | Mobile-first ecosystems | Merchant payment acceptance |
Consumer QR Payload Structure
Consumer Presented Mode QR payloads may contain wallet identifiers, tokenized credentials, account references, session identifiers, or payment authorization information depending on the wallet ecosystem and implementation model.
00020101021226580014A0000006770101110216WALLET1234567895204581253033565802IN5910EMVQRHUB6007DELHI6304A1B2Wallet Identifier
Identifies the wallet ecosystem or issuer
Tokenized Credentials
Protects sensitive payment information
Session References
Supports transaction correlation
CRC Validation
Ensures payload integrity
Benefits of Consumer Presented Mode
Mobile Wallet Integration
CPM works naturally with smartphone-based payment ecosystems and digital wallets.
Fast Customer Experience
Customers can quickly present QR codes without scanning merchant displays.
Tokenized Payment Flows
Wallet ecosystems can support secure tokenized transaction models.
Interoperable Payments
EMVCo standards help improve wallet interoperability across payment systems.
Consumer Wallet Ecosystem
Consumer Presented Mode ecosystems may involve wallet providers, issuing banks, merchants, acquirers, payment gateways, QR interoperability networks, and mobile payment processors.
Wallet Provider
Generates customer-presented QR payloads.
Merchant
Scans QR and accepts digital payments.
QR Network
Routes interoperable payment transactions.