We’re excited to announce that the PowerTranz Payment Gateway for WooCommerce now fully supports the new WooCommerce Block Checkout experience. This update brings seamless payment processing to stores using the modern Gutenberg-based checkout, ensuring Caribbean and Latin American merchants can take advantage of the latest WooCommerce features.
What is WooCommerce Block Checkout?
WooCommerce Block Checkout represents the future of eCommerce on WordPress. Built on the Gutenberg block editor, this modern checkout experience offers significant improvements over the traditional shortcode-based checkout. It provides faster page loads, better mobile responsiveness, and a more intuitive interface for both store owners and customers.
Since WooCommerce 8.3, the Block Checkout has become the default for new installations. As more stores migrate to this new system, having a payment gateway that fully supports it is essential for maintaining a smooth customer experience.
Full 3D Secure Support in Block Checkout
One of the most critical aspects of our Block Checkout integration is complete 3D Secure (3DS) authentication support. Caribbean merchants operating under First Atlantic Commerce (FAC) requirements need robust 3DS implementation to process Visa and Mastercard transactions securely.
Our Block Checkout integration supports the full 3DS flow, including:
- Device Fingerprinting (3D5) – Silent background verification that doesn’t interrupt the customer experience
- Challenge Authentication (3D6) – Secure modal window for additional cardholder verification when required by the issuing bank
- Frictionless Flow (3D0) – Instant approval for low-risk transactions without customer intervention
The 3DS authentication modal integrates seamlessly with the Block Checkout interface, maintaining the modern look and feel while keeping transactions secure and PCI DSS compliant.
Saved Payment Methods Now Work in Block Checkout
Returning customers can now use their saved cards directly within the Block Checkout. Our tokenization system, powered by PowerTranz’s secure PAN Token technology, allows customers to save their payment methods for faster future purchases.
When a customer selects a saved card in the Block Checkout, the gateway automatically handles 3DS authentication if required by the card issuer. This means saved cards maintain the same level of security as new card transactions, with the added convenience of not re-entering card details.
Key Features Available in Block Checkout
Our WooCommerce Block Checkout integration includes all the features Caribbean merchants need:
Secure Card Entry
The Block Checkout displays a clean, user-friendly card entry form with real-time validation. Card numbers are formatted automatically, expiry dates are validated against the current date, and CVV fields accept the appropriate length based on card type. Visual card brand detection shows customers which card type they’re entering.
Multi-Currency Support
Process transactions in multiple Caribbean currencies including JMD (Jamaican Dollar), TTD (Trinidad and Tobago Dollar), BBD (Barbadian Dollar), XCD (Eastern Caribbean Dollar), BSD (Bahamian Dollar), and USD. The gateway automatically handles currency conversion and formatting based on your WooCommerce store settings.
Subscription Payments
For stores using WooCommerce Subscriptions, the Block Checkout fully supports recurring payment setup. Customer payment methods are automatically tokenized for future subscription renewals, and the gateway handles both merchant-managed and PowerTranz-managed recurring billing models.
Accepted Card Logos
Display accepted card brand logos directly in the payment method selection. The gateway shows Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover logos based on your configuration, with special 3DS-verified badges when 3D Secure is enabled.
Automatic Detection – No Configuration Required
The best part about our Block Checkout support is that it works automatically. There’s no toggle to enable or configuration to set. The gateway detects whether your store is using the classic shortcode checkout or the new Block Checkout and adapts accordingly.
This means you can:
- Upgrade to Block Checkout at any time without changing payment gateway settings
- Test Block Checkout on staging environments with the same plugin configuration
- Roll back to classic checkout if needed without any gateway reconfiguration
Classic Checkout Still Fully Supported
While we’re excited about Block Checkout support, we understand that many established stores rely on the classic WooCommerce checkout. Rest assured, our classic checkout integration remains fully functional and will continue to be supported.
All existing features work identically in both checkout types:
- Full 3D Secure authentication with FPI (Frictionless Payment Integration)
- Hosted Payment Page (HPP) option for PCI compliance simplification
- Card tokenization and saved payment methods
- Subscription and recurring payment support
- Refunds and void transactions from the WordPress admin
- Detailed transaction logging for troubleshooting
How to Enable Block Checkout on Your Store
If you’re ready to try the WooCommerce Block Checkout, here’s how to enable it:
- Navigate to Pages in your WordPress admin
- Edit your Checkout page
- Remove the existing checkout shortcode or legacy block
- Add the Checkout block from the WooCommerce block category
- Save the page
That’s it! The PowerTranz Payment Gateway will automatically work with your new Block Checkout.
Requirements
To use the Block Checkout integration, ensure your store meets these requirements:
- WordPress 6.0 or higher
- WooCommerce 8.0 or higher
- PHP 7.4 or higher
- PowerTranz Payment Gateway version 1.1.7 or higher
- Valid PowerTranz merchant credentials from First Atlantic Commerce
Update Today
The Block Checkout support is available now in PowerTranz Payment Gateway version 1.1.7. If you have automatic updates enabled, you may already have it. Otherwise, update through your WordPress plugins page or download the latest version from your account.
As always, we recommend testing any updates on a staging environment before deploying to your live store. If you encounter any issues or have questions about the Block Checkout integration, our support team is ready to help.
PowerTranz Payment Gateway for WooCommerce is the leading payment solution for Caribbean and Latin American merchants processing through First Atlantic Commerce. Supporting Visa, Mastercard, and regional payment methods with full 3D Secure compliance.
