Restricted Businesses

What You’ll Find Here:

Here you’ll find industries that require a more tailored review process but are still eligible for approval. These business models often involve additional regulatory or compliance considerations, so we take extra care to understand how they operate. We regularly work with complex and higher-risk industries and approach each application with flexibility and open communication. Our goal is to review every business thoughtfully and determine how we can responsibly and successfully support its growth.

Restricted Businesses - What does that mean?

‍Industries and products that may be eligible but require additional underwriting, monitoring, or documentation before approval.

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Restricted Businesses

Adult-Oriented Content and Services

This category includes businesses that produce, distribute, or monetize adult-oriented content or services. Due to heightened regulatory requirements, card brand monitoring standards, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting and compliance review. Can be considered for approval.

Adult Novelty and Intimate Products

This category includes the sale of adult novelty items and intimate products intended for personal use. Due to card brand monitoring standards and elevated chargeback considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Advance Event Ticket Sales

This category includes businesses that sell tickets for events scheduled to occur at a future date. Because revenue is collected well in advance of fulfillment, these models present elevated refund, cancellation, and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Affiliate Marketing and Performance-Based Offers

This category includes businesses that promote and sell products or digital goods through affiliate, performance, or traffic-driven marketing models. Due to elevated fraud, traffic quality, and chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Alcohol Sales (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes online or card-not-present sales of alcoholic beverages. Due to age verification requirements, state-by-state regulatory compliance, and elevated chargeback considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Amanita Muscaria Products

This category includes the sale or distribution of products containing Amanita muscaria or related mushroom derivatives. Due to evolving regulatory treatment, varying state-level legality, and elevated compliance and chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Auction-Based Sales Models

This category includes businesses that facilitate the sale of goods or services through auction-style bidding formats. Because pricing and fulfillment may vary based on bid outcomes, these models can present elevated dispute and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Bail Bond Services

This category includes businesses that provide bail bond or surety bond services to individuals involved in legal proceedings. Due to heightened regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and elevated dispute and reputational risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Cannabis-Related Businesses (CRB / MRB)

This category includes businesses that cultivate, manufacture, distribute, or sell cannabis or marijuana-related products, including ancillary services directly tied to the industry. Due to federal regulatory conflict, state-level licensing requirements, and heightened compliance obligations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

CBD and Hemp-Derived Products

This category includes the sale or distribution of CBD and hemp-derived products. Due to evolving federal and state regulations, labeling requirements, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Charitable and Social Service Organizations

This category includes nonprofit, charitable, and social service organizations that collect donations or provide community-based services. Due to regulatory oversight, fundraising transparency requirements, and elevated fraud risk, these organizations require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Coaching, Seminars, and Online Educational Programs

This category includes coaching services, online courses, masterminds, workshops, and other educational or advisory programs. Due to elevated chargeback risk, results-based marketing claims, and continuity billing models, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Consulting Services

This category includes established companies that provide advisory, strategic, or specialized consulting services to other professionals or businesses. Because consulting often involves milestone billing, retainers, or subjective deliverables, these models can present elevated dispute risk. Can be considered for approval.

Credit Repair and Credit Improvement Services

This category includes businesses that offer credit repair, credit restoration, or credit improvement services to consumers. Due to strict regulatory oversight, advance fee restrictions, and elevated chargeback and compliance risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Crowdfunding Platforms and Campaigns

This category includes businesses or platforms that raise funds from the public to support projects, ventures, or causes. Because funds are often collected in advance of fulfillment or project completion, these models present elevated refund and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Dating Services (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes online dating platforms, matchmaking services, and subscription-based dating applications operating in a card-not-present environment. Due to elevated chargeback risk, recurring billing considerations, and card brand monitoring requirements, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Debt Collection Services

This category includes businesses that collect outstanding debts on behalf of themselves or third parties. Due to strict federal and state regulatory requirements, consumer protection laws, and elevated dispute risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Debt Consolidation Services

This category includes businesses that offer debt consolidation, negotiation, or settlement services to consumers. Due to strict regulatory oversight, advance fee restrictions, and elevated dispute and compliance risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Digital Goods (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes the sale of digital products such as ebooks, movies, music, apps, software, and online games delivered electronically. Because fulfillment is instant and intangible, these models present elevated fraud and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Financial Aid, Scholarship, and Grant Services

This category includes businesses that assist with obtaining, administering, or facilitating financial aid, scholarships, or grant funding. Due to heightened regulatory scrutiny, potential consumer protection concerns, and elevated dispute risk, these services require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Financial Trading and Investment Platforms

This category includes platforms that facilitate trading of securities, forex, cryptocurrencies, derivatives, or other financial instruments. Due to regulatory licensing requirements, investor protection standards, and elevated fraud and dispute risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Firearms and FFL-Regulated Products

This category includes the sale or distribution of firearms and related products that require a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Due to strict federal and state regulations, licensing requirements, and elevated compliance considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Firearm-Related Products (Non-FFL Items)

This category includes the sale of firearm-related products that do not require a Federal Firearms License (FFL), such as ammunition, accessories, optics, or certain parts. Despite not requiring an FFL, these items remain subject to varying federal, state, and local regulations. Can be considered for approval.

Fireworks (Retail)

This category includes the retail sale of consumer fireworks and related pyrotechnic products. Due to varying state and local regulations, seasonal sales spikes, and elevated compliance and liability risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Furniture and Appliance Retailers

This category includes businesses that sell furniture, home furnishings, and large household appliances. Due to higher average ticket sizes, delivery timelines, and potential fulfillment disputes, these businesses may present elevated chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Gambling and Gaming Activities (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes online or card-not-present gambling, wagering, and gaming-related activities. Due to complex regulatory requirements, licensing obligations, and elevated fraud and chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting and ongoing monitoring. Can be considered for approval.

General Contracting and Construction Services

This category includes general contractors and specialty trades such as electrical work, insulation, masonry, roofing, siding, and concrete services. Due to milestone billing structures, large project deposits, and potential performance disputes, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Gentlemen's Clubs

This category includes gentlemen’s clubs and other adult entertainment venues offering live performances. Due to heightened regulatory scrutiny, card brand monitoring requirements, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Kava and Kava-Based Products

This category includes the sale or distribution of kava and kava-based consumable products. Due to varying state regulations, evolving regulatory guidance, and elevated compliance considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Kratom and Kratom-Based Products

This category includes businesses that sell or distribute kratom and kratom-derived products. Due to varying state legality, ongoing regulatory scrutiny, and elevated compliance and chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Lead Generation Services

This category includes businesses that generate, sell, or distribute consumer or business leads to third parties. Due to elevated fraud risk, traffic quality concerns, and potential consumer consent issues, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Lodging and Short-Term Rental Services

This category includes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and other short-term lodging providers. Due to advance booking models, cancellation policies, and potential dispute risk related to guest stays, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Marketing and Advertising Services

This category includes businesses that provide marketing, advertising, media buying, branding, or promotional services to clients. Because results can be performance-based or subjective, these models may present elevated dispute and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Medical Marijuana Card Services

This category includes businesses that facilitate evaluations, certifications, or applications for medical marijuana cards. Due to complex state-by-state regulations, federal legal considerations, and elevated compliance requirements, these services require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Membership and Discount Club Programs (Medical, Travel, etc.)

This category includes businesses that offer membership-based discount programs for services such as medical, travel, or other consumer benefits. Due to recurring billing models, negative option considerations, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Merchants with Non-U.S. Beneficial Ownership

This category includes U.S.-based businesses with one or more beneficial owners living outside the United States. Due to enhanced Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and cross-border compliance requirements, these businesses require additional underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Money Services Businesses (MSB)

This category includes businesses engaged in activities such as money transmission, currency exchange, check cashing, prepaid access, or similar financial services. Due to strict federal and state regulatory requirements, licensing obligations, and elevated AML and fraud risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Moving and Relocation Services (Direct and Broker)

This category includes businesses that provide moving services directly or operate as brokers coordinating third-party movers. Due to deposit structures, long-distance logistics, and elevated dispute risk related to delivery timelines or service quality, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)

This category includes businesses that operate using a multi-level marketing structure, where participants earn compensation through product sales and recruitment of additional distributors. Due to heightened regulatory scrutiny, compensation model complexity, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Negative Option and Free Trial Offers

This category includes businesses that use free trials, continuity programs, or negative option billing models that automatically convert into paid subscriptions. Due to elevated chargeback risk and card brand compliance requirements, these models require enhanced underwriting and disclosure review. Can be considered for approval.

Nutraceutical Sales (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes online sales of nutraceutical products, such as specialty supplements marketed with performance, wellness, or enhancement claims. It does not include general vitamin and supplement retailers operating in a traditional retail model. Due to marketing claim scrutiny, regulatory oversight, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Online Marketplaces and Platform-Based Sellers

This category includes businesses that facilitate transactions between third-party buyers and sellers through a marketplace or platform model. Due to increased fraud exposure, fulfillment risk, and potential liability for seller activity, these businesses require enhanced underwriting and operational review. Can be considered for approval.

Pawn and Collateral-Based Lending Services

This category includes pawn shops and businesses that provide short-term loans secured by personal property. Due to regulatory oversight, licensing requirements, and elevated dispute and compliance considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Pharmacy and Prescription-Based Products

This category includes businesses that sell, distribute, or facilitate access to prescription medications or pharmacy-related products. Due to strict regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and heightened fraud and compliance risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Precious Metals and Bullion Sales

This category includes businesses that sell precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, coins, or bullion products. Due to high ticket values, market price volatility, and elevated fraud and chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Prepaid Phone Card and Airtime Sales

This category includes businesses that sell prepaid phone cards, airtime credits, or related telecommunications recharge products. Due to the digital and immediately consumable nature of these products, they may present elevated fraud and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Short-Term Lending Services

This category includes businesses that offer short-term loans, including payday loans, installment advances, or similar credit products. Due to strict regulatory oversight, interest rate limitations, and elevated compliance and dispute risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Smoking Accessories and Related Paraphernalia

This category includes the sale of smoking accessories and related paraphernalia, including items that may be associated with tobacco or other regulated substances. Due to varying state regulations, compliance considerations, and elevated monitoring requirements, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Sports Forecasting and Handicapping Services

This category includes businesses that sell sports picks, betting advice, or handicapping services. Due to elevated dispute risk, marketing claim scrutiny, and regulatory considerations related to wagering activity, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Technical and Digital Support Services (Card-Not-Present)

This category includes remote tech support, SEO services, website design, and other digitally delivered support or optimization services. Because services are intangible and often performance-based, these models may present elevated dispute and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Telehealth and Remote Medical Services (Non-Prescription)

This category includes telehealth or remote medical consultation services that do not involve prescribing medications. Due to healthcare regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and patient data protection considerations, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Timeshare Sales, Marketing, and Exit Services

This category includes businesses that sell, market, broker, or provide relief or exit services related to timeshare ownership. Due to elevated dispute rates, regulatory scrutiny, and performance-based claims, these businesses require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

TMF / MATCH-Listed Merchants

This category includes businesses or principals currently listed on the Terminated Merchant File (TMF), also known as MATCH. Due to prior account termination history and elevated compliance considerations, these merchants require enhanced underwriting review. Can be considered for approval.

Tobacco and Nicotine Products

This category includes the sale of tobacco products, nicotine-based items, and related accessories, including online and card-not-present transactions. Due to age verification requirements, regulatory oversight, and elevated chargeback risk, these businesses require enhanced underwriting and compliance review. Can be considered for approval.

Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, and Travel Providers

This category includes travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, cruise lines, and other businesses that sell travel services before fulfillment. Because payments are often collected well before services are rendered, these models present elevated refund, cancellation, and chargeback risk. Can be considered for approval.

Restricted industries are not automatically declined, but they do require additional review and documentation before approval. These business models often carry higher regulatory, compliance, or chargeback considerations that must be evaluated carefully. Our goal is to understand how your business operates and determine whether we can responsibly support it. Approval decisions are based on transparency, documentation, and overall risk profile. If you have questions about your business type or eligibility, please contact us.