MDES stands for Mastercard Digital Enablement Service. Mastercard's Token Connect product is a framework within MDES that allows Issuers (card-issuing banks) to directly push a "tokenized" version of a customer's card (for example, their debit or credit card) to digital wallets, merchant platforms, or other token requestors . This method is often referred to as "issuer-initiated tokenization" or "push provisioning."

In short, instead of waiting for a merchant or wallet to request card information and tokenize it, the bank itself can—via MDES Token Connect—initiate the tokenization when the customer wants to add their card to a wallet or online store.

How Token Connect works (high-level flow)

1. The cardholder logs into their bank’s app or online banking.
2. The bank shows a list of supported wallets or merchants.
3. The cardholder selects where to push their card and which account to tokenize.
4. The wallet or merchant authenticates the user and links the token.
5. Once approved, the tokenized card is ready for payments (tap-to-pay, online checkout, recurring billing, etc.).

Because the bank triggers the token creation, cardholders don’t need to manually type full card details into every site or app — the “token” acts as a stand-in.

Pismo's role

Pismo acts as a pass-though proxy for MDES Token Connect. To make integration easier, Pismo's MDES Token Connect API and endpoints mirror the MDES Token Connect API and endpoints. For full technical details, refer to Mastercard's Token Connect site and documentation.

Key benefits

• No need for customers to manually enter card details.
• Faster and more secure onboarding to wallets and merchants.
• Improved user experience and reduced friction.