The present disclosure relates to user authentication using a contactless payment instrument. The contactless payment instrument includes a contactless chip and a gesture control module. The user makes one or more gestures at an access device during a card-present transaction scenario and the gestures are validated and the authentication status is determined by matching the gesture made by the user at the time of the transaction with one or more predefined gestures. If the authentication is successful, the payment instrument transmits the payment information required for conducting the transaction.