Powertranz
- Headquarters
- Thistle House, 4 Burnaby Street, 2nd Floor, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda
- sales@powertranz.bm
- Phone
- (441) 294-4625
Powertranz, formerly known as First Atlantic Commerce (FAC), is a multi‑currency payment gateway and processor serving merchants across the Caribbean and Central America. The company enables businesses to accept credit and debit card payments online, in‑store, and via mobile devices through a single, secure integration. Its platform is integrated with dozens of regional banks and shopping‑cart providers, allowing merchants to settle payments locally in multiple currencies while benefiting from real‑time reporting and reconciliation. Rebranded to Powertranz in 2024/2025, the company has been operating for over 25 years and boasts PCI DSS Level 1 certification, 3D‑Secure 2.X fraud prevention, and a 99.99% gateway uptime record. With more than 10,000 active customers and 60 million transactions processed annually, Powertranz powers payments for thousands of businesses, from small shops and taxi drivers to large regional enterprises such as Sandals and PriceSmart. Beyond core gateway services, Powertranz offers QR‑based payments, plug‑and‑play in‑person solutions via its partner AMP, and a growing ecosystem of technology partners including Kount (fraud prevention), Tilopay (e‑commerce acceleration), Pilarbox (in‑person experiences), Reach (social commerce), and Bluefin (encryption and tokenization). The company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Detailed Review
Company History & Rebranding
Powertranz began as First Atlantic Commerce (FAC), a regional payment gateway founded in the late 1990s (over 25 years ago). In a strategic move to reflect its evolution from a pure gateway to a modern, multi‑channel payments platform, FAC rebranded as Powertranz. The new name was chosen to convey “powering payments, empowering business” and to align with the company’s future‑focused vision for the Caribbean and Central America. The rebrand involved a refreshed website, new visual identity, and expanded marketing, but the underlying technology and team remained unchanged.
Products & Services
- Online Payment Gateway: Accepts credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) with real‑time secure processing, multi‑currency settlement, and web‑based reporting. - POS Payments: In‑store terminal solutions for physical retail, restaurants, and hospitality. - Mobile & QR Payments: Enables contactless transactions via smartphone apps and QR codes. - Fraud & Security Tools: 3D‑Secure 2.X authentication, PCI DSS Level 1 compliance, and integration with Kount for advanced fraud and chargeback management. - Plug‑ins & Integrations: Native integrations with major shopping carts (e.g., WooCommerce, Shopify) and a plug‑in bridge for others. - Partner Ecosystem: Through alliances with Tilopay (e‑commerce acceleration), Pilarbox (digital menu & in‑person experience), Reach (social commerce), Bluefin (encryption), and AMP (Android‑based POS devices), Powertranz offers a full‑stack payments solution.
Market Presence & Reach
Powertranz serves merchants in more than 15 countries across the Caribbean and Central America, including Bermuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Cayman Islands, and others. The company holds strong relationships with regional acquirers such as RBC Caribbean, Clarien Bank, HSBC Bermuda, and Bank of the Bahamas. Its large‑enterprise clients include Sandals Resorts and PriceSmart. With over 25 years of operating history, 10,000+ active merchants, and 60 million transactions annually, Powertranz is a dominant regional payments player.
Technology & Security
The platform is certified PCI DSS Level 1 (the highest level) and supports P2PE (Point‑to‑Point Encryption) for in‑person transactions. Real‑time fraud screening uses 3D‑Secure 2.X and Kount’s AI‑driven analytics. The gateway boasts 99.99% uptime and offers a developer‑friendly REST API for custom integrations.
Regulatory & Licensing
Powertranz operates as a regulated payment intermediary in its operating jurisdictions. Specific licensing details (e.g., Bermuda Monetary Authority) are not publicly disclosed on the company’s website.
Key Products
Powertranz Payment Gateway
Core online and in‑store payment processing with multi‑currency settlement, real‑time reporting, and bank‑level security.
3D‑Secure 2.X
Fraud prevention authentication protocol for card‑not‑present transactions.
Kount Integration
Advanced fraud and chargeback management using machine learning.
Tilopay Partnership
Accelerated e‑commerce onboarding and full‑commerce solutions for Central America and the Caribbean.
Pilarbox Integration
Digital menu, ordering, and payments for in‑person dining and retail.
Reach Social Commerce
AI‑powered platform for selling via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and other social channels.
Bluefin Encryption & Tokenization
PCI‑validated point‑to‑point encryption and tokenization for secure data handling.
AMP Android POS Devices
Portable, all‑in‑one Android payment terminals with remote key injection.