Abstract: The present invention provides techniques in connection with payment transactions. Techniques are included in which a non-merchant entity generates, stores, and provides to a merchant a token that can be stored and used by the merchant, for example, in place of a credit card number, in connection with a desired payment transaction. The token may be randomized, including alphanumeric characters, be of equal length to the credit card number, and include a configurable character sequence that is identical to a sequence of numbers in the credit card number. Additionally, the token may have a configurable maximum amount of time between generation and expiry, and may be useable in connection with only a single desired payment transaction. Storage and use of a token, instead of a credit card number, by the merchant in connection with the payment transaction may prevent the merchant from being subject to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements.