Card scheme
NetworkIdentifiers
The brand or network that operates the card-processing rails, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, and others. Each scheme sets its own interchange rates, dispute rules, and merchant-monitoring programs. The scheme is identified by the BIN of the card.
In practice.
The schemes write the rulebook every other party follows: interchange, dispute rights, monitoring programs and registration requirements for specific business models. When an acquirer tells you a rule is non-negotiable, it is usually a scheme rule, not acquirer policy.
Related terms: Visa · Mastercard · BIN