Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving digital economy, businesses categorized as “high-risk” often find it challenging to secure reliable merchant services. Whether due to industry type (like forex, gaming, or CBD), high chargeback rates, or regulatory complexity, many traditional banks and processors shy away from servicing these sectors.
High-risk merchant account providers have emerged as specialized partners that understand these challenges and offer customized solutions, including robust fraud prevention, flexible underwriting, offshore options, and chargeback mitigation support.
Choosing the right provider can make or break a high-risk business. This article explores the top 10 high-risk merchant account providers in 2025, highlighting what sets them apart and helping you make an informed decision.
What Makes a Business High-Risk?
Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand why a business might be labeled as high-risk:
- Industry Type: Sectors like gaming, adult entertainment, online dating, crypto trading, and forex are often classified as high-risk.
- Chargeback Ratios: Businesses with frequent refunds or disputes raise red flags for payment processors.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: Activities in finance, healthcare, or new technologies often face complex regulations.
- High Average Ticket Size: Expensive products or large transactions pose higher financial risks.
Hence, choosing a merchant service that specializes in these complexities is vital.
Top 10 High-Risk Merchant Account Providers
1. PaymentCloud
Why They Stand Out:
PaymentCloud has built a stellar reputation for serving high-risk merchants across industries like CBD, adult, and tech support. They offer chargeback protection, customized fraud prevention, and fast onboarding.
- Industries Supported: CBD, adult, online gaming, travel, nutraceuticals
- Specialties: Dedicated account managers, PCI compliance support, flexible contracts
- Pricing: Custom quoted based on business model and risk assessment
Best for: Startups and small businesses entering high-risk sectors.
2. Durango Merchant Services
Why They Stand Out:
Durango is a veteran in the high-risk payment space, with strong relationships with offshore and domestic banks, helping businesses get approved when others fail.
- Industries Supported: Gambling, forex, online dating, collections
- Specialties: Multi-currency support, offshore accounts, chargeback mitigation
- Pricing: Competitive; tailored per client
Best for: Businesses needing offshore banking and international reach.
3. Soar Payments
Why They Stand Out:
Soar Payments focuses exclusively on high-risk industries, offering a fast, transparent application process with minimal documentation compared to traditional banks.
- Industries Supported: Firearms, tobacco, debt collections, travel
- Specialties: Next-day deposits, fraud tools, no early termination fees
- Pricing: Custom based on risk and volume
Best for: High-risk merchants needing a simple, fast approval.
4. PayKings
Why They Stand Out:
Known for specializing in ultra-high-risk industries, PayKings has extensive experience handling businesses many providers won’t even consider.
- Industries Supported: CBD, adult content, vape, subscription boxes
- Specialties: Dedicated high-risk specialists, domestic and offshore acquiring banks
- Pricing: Industry-competitive
Best for: Merchants needing tailored solutions with high monthly processing volumes.
5. Instabill
Why They Stand Out:
Instabill is a global player that focuses heavily on providing offshore merchant accounts, which is critical for industries facing heavy restrictions in their home countries.
- Industries Supported: Pharmaceuticals, gaming, international eCommerce
- Specialties: Offshore solutions, cryptocurrency merchant services
- Pricing: Competitive offshore rates
Best for: Businesses looking for international processing solutions.
6. SMB Global
Why They Stand Out:
A spin-off of the team behind PaymentCloud, SMB Global specializes in high-risk and international payment processing with a focus on mid-size businesses.
- Industries Supported: Coaching, online education, travel services
- Specialties: International processing, dynamic currency conversion
- Pricing: Based on risk profile and volume
Best for: Businesses expanding globally.
7. eMerchantBroker (EMB)
Why They Stand Out:
EMB is famous for high-risk credit card processing, offering both domestic and offshore solutions, along with an easy online application process.
- Industries Supported: Vape, CBD, credit repair, adult websites
- Specialties: Chargeback protection programs, flexible rolling reserves
- Pricing: Moderate
Best for: High-risk startups needing flexible contract terms.
8. PaynetSecure
Why They Stand Out:
PaynetSecure specializes in advanced payment gateway integrations with fraud scrubbing, recurring billing, and custom APIs for high-risk merchants.
- Industries Supported: Forex, gambling, online subscriptions
- Specialties: Secure APIs, cross-border payments
- Pricing: Custom quotes
Best for: Businesses needing tailored gateway solutions.
9. HighRiskPay
Why They Stand Out:
True to its name, HighRiskPay provides straightforward services to industries rejected by conventional banks.
- Industries Supported: MLMs, online auctions, collections agencies
- Specialties: Same-day approvals, customized risk solutions
- Pricing: Transparent; no hidden fees
Best for: Quick account setup and fast deployment.
10. Easy Pay Direct
Why They Stand Out:
Their proprietary Easy Pay Direct™ Gateway is designed specifically for high-volume, high-risk businesses needing scalability and sophisticated fraud control.
- Industries Supported: Supplements, coaching, info products
- Specialties: Load-balancing across multiple merchant accounts (ECS system)
- Pricing: Slightly premium, but worth the tech
Best for: High-risk merchants processing over $100K monthly.
Choosing the Right High-Risk Merchant Account Provider
When selecting a provider, ask the following:
- Does the provider have experience in my industry?
- Are their pricing structures transparent?
- Do they offer chargeback mitigation services?
- Can they provide offshore processing if needed?
- How fast is their onboarding process?
Also, check if the provider offers extra services like fraud detection tools, recurring billing solutions, or crypto payment acceptance depending on your business model.
Future Outlook for High-Risk Payments (2025 and Beyond)
The fintech and payment industries are evolving rapidly, and high-risk businesses need to stay a step ahead. Some trends shaping the future:
- RegTech Integration: Seamless onboarding with AI-driven compliance tools.
- Blockchain and Crypto Adoption: Offering more crypto-friendly payment solutions.
- Globalization of Payments: More providers supporting multi-currency and localized payment methods.
- AI Fraud Prevention: Advanced tools predicting fraud before it happens.
FAQs
1. What industries typically need a high-risk merchant account?
Industries like gaming, adult services, CBD, forex, and nutraceuticals are often considered high-risk due to regulations and chargebacks.
2. How long does it take to get approved?
Approval time can range from 24 hours to 7 days depending on the provider and documentation provided.
3. Are fees higher for high-risk merchants?
Yes, due to the increased risk, you might encounter higher processing fees, reserves, or rolling reserve terms.
4. Can a high-risk business lower their risk profile over time?
Yes, by reducing chargebacks, improving compliance, and showing stable processing history.
5. Is offshore merchant account better for high-risk businesses?
For some industries restricted domestically, offshore accounts can offer better flexibility and acceptance rates.
