A method of managing an electronic transaction by smart card, and smart card terminal implementing such process

The invention concerns a method for managing an electronic transaction using a client card with microprocessor chip and a reading terminal capable of interacting with said card, whereby the reading terminal transmits to said card a signal indicating thereto the amount of the transaction and whereby the card compares said amount to a threshold value of amount for transaction and commands a procedure for authenticating the bearer when said amount is greater than said threshold. The invention is characterised in that, when said amount is less than said threshold, said smart card compares to a threshold value a counter value, called summation of small amounts, which it increments by the value of the amount of the transaction and a procedure for authenticating the bearer is commanded by said card based on the result of said comparison.