In addition to adding a chip to each of the 1.2 billion credit and debit cards circulating in the US, the rehaul requires upgrading card readers at retail locations, and there's plenty of incentive for businesses to hop on board with the change. If your local WalMart doesn't adopt new compatible card readers, it will be held accountable for any fraudulent face-to-face transactions. Point-of-sale systems used by smaller businesses, such as Square and PayPal here, will need to reissue card scanners as well.

According to research firm Javelin, the upgrade could take about three years, with international and premium cards getting the switch to the new system. For the record, there are already several cards with chip technology available to Americans, from American Express and JPMorgan Chase among other institutions.

Update: The article originally stated that the US will update to the chip and PIN system (as opposed to chip and signature), though that wasn't specified in the report.