A method for establishing a secure link on a second protocol between a secure element and a smart device via a link on a first protocol, said smart device comprising a first application configured to provide a plurality of functionalities in conjunction with the secure element, the method comprising: establishing a link on the first protocol between the secure element and the smart device; in response to the establishment of a link on the first protocol, generating, by the secure element, a communication encryption key and associating a status with the communication encryption key and assigning the status a first level; transmitting a message encapsulating the communication encryption key and the status of the communication encryption key from the secure element to the smart device over the link on the first protocol; said communication encryption key authorizing the first application to provide fewer than all functionalities of the plurality of functionalities being made available for the first application only if said first level is assigned to said status, pairing the secure element and the smart device over the second protocol thereby establishing a second-protocol link; transmitting a message encrypted using the communication encryption key from the secure element to the smart device over the second-protocol link; authenticating a cardholder of the secure element, said authenticating being performed by the secure element by checking a personal identification data provided by the cardholder through a physical device linked to the secure element; in response to the authenticating step verifying the cardholder as an authorized cardholder for the secure element, elevating the status of the communication encryption key from the first level to a second level; all functionalities of the plurality of functionalities being made available for the first application only if said second level is assigned to said status. establishing a link on the first protocol between the secure element and the smart device; in response to the establishment of a link on the first protocol, generating, by the secure element, a communication encryption key and associating a status with the communication encryption key and assigning the status a first level; transmitting a message encapsulating the communication encryption key and the status of the communication encryption key from the secure element to the smart device over the link on the first protocol; said communication encryption key authorizing the first application to provide fewer than all functionalities of the plurality of functionalities being made available for the first application only if said first level is assigned to said status, pairing the secure element and the smart device over the second protocol thereby establishing a second-protocol link; transmitting a message encrypted using the communication encryption key from the secure element to the smart device over the second-protocol link; authenticating a cardholder of the secure element, said authenticating being performed by the secure element by checking a personal identification data provided by the cardholder through a physical device linked to the secure element; in response to the authenticating step verifying the cardholder as an authorized cardholder for the secure element, elevating the status of the communication encryption key from the first level to a second level; all functionalities of the plurality of functionalities being made available for the first application only if said second level is assigned to said status.