Card payments on your own merchant account.
*As long as you stay within the agreed terms. Approval and terms depend on the provider's underwriting.
- Account holder
- Your company
- Industry
- Industry code
- Approval rates
- Mainstream level
- Fees
- Mainstream level
- Payout
- After 3 days
- Rolling reserve
- None*
Compared
What changes compared with a typical high-risk provider
| Term | Typical high-risk provider | The terms regular online merchants get |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling reserve | 5–15 %, held 90–180 days | None* |
| Processing fees | ≈ 4–6 % effective | Mainstream level |
| Payout | Minus reserve, sometimes in crypto | After 3 days |
| After termination | Funds held for months | Your own account, your company's name |
*As long as you stay within the agreed terms. Typical high-risk values: public pricing and fee guides of high-risk providers and ISOs, as of September 2026. Effective fees assume a $50 average ticket.
Process
How it works
Check fit
Six taps. You see right away whether your business fits, and you book the call in the same step.
The call
15 minutes. We go through what the provider will ask for: company documents, recent processing statements and your industry's compliance evidence.
Application in your name
You learn who the provider is and sign with them directly. Your website shows exactly the business you declare.
Go live
Once approved, you take card payments on your own merchant account, under your real industry code.
Requirements
Who we work with
The provider underwrites every application. These are the basics it will look for.
Fits
- A registered company that will hold the account
- At least $10k in monthly card volume
- iGaming: a licence for every market you serve
- Adult: age and consent verification for everyone in your content, reviewed before publication
- Peptides: lab documentation for every product, no health claims
Doesn't fit
- Gambling without a licence for the target market
- Adult content without age and consent verification
- Anyone who wants to process under a different business description
- Processing for other merchants through your account
Two minutes
Check if you qualify
Six questions, most of them one tap. If your business fits, you pick a call slot on the next screen.
Questions
Before you ask
Who is the payment provider?
You'll learn the provider's name and full terms before you sign anything. You contract with them directly, in your company's name.
Do payments run through you?
No. The merchant account is yours and payouts go to your company's bank account. We don't process or hold any funds.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. The provider underwrites every application and keeps reviewing accounts after approval. We prepare your application so the review has everything it needs.
When does "no rolling reserve" apply?
As long as you stay within the agreed terms, especially the chargeback and fraud thresholds. If you exceed them, the provider can set a reserve, like any acquirer.
What does it cost?
A one-time setup fee and a monthly retainer, both based on your volume. You get both in writing before you commit.
Why not simply use Stripe?
Stripe's terms list gambling and adult content among its prohibited businesses. We place you with a provider that accepts your industry explicitly. Cleared Merchant is not affiliated with Stripe.