In today’s digital economy, accepting online payments is essential — but for high-risk businesses, finding a reliable payment processor is anything but simple. Whether you’re in the CBD, crypto, adult, coaching, dropshipping, or travel sector, the wrong merchant account can get you shut down — or worse, frozen out of your own revenue.
This 2025 guide explores the best high-risk merchant account providers in the USA, so you can secure your cash flow, minimize chargebacks, and stay compliant with ever-changing payment regulations.
What Is a High-Risk Merchant Account?
A high-risk merchant account is a type of payment processing account designed for businesses that:
- Operate in regulated or controversial industries (e.g., supplements, gambling, adult).
- Have high chargeback rates or refund requests.
- Sell internationally or through recurring/subscription models.
- Sell high-ticket items with long fulfillment windows (e.g., coaching, luxury goods).
Because banks consider these businesses risky, they typically:
- Deny traditional merchant accounts.
- Charge higher fees.
- Require stricter underwriting and rolling reserves.
That’s where specialized high-risk processors come in.
Best High-Risk Merchant Account Providers in the USA (2025)
1. PayKings
Best for: CBD, vape, supplements, firearms
- Offers accounts for very high-risk verticals
- Domestic and offshore banking relationships
- High-risk chargeback management tools
- Supports subscription billing and custom shopping carts
PayKings is often used by CBD companies in the US due to its strong compliance infrastructure.
2. Soar Payments
Best for: Tech support, coaching, online courses
- 100% USA-based support team
- Fast approvals in 24–48 hours
- Integrates with Shopify, ClickFunnels, and CRMs
- Flexible monthly volume tiers
💡 Popular with course creators and info-product businesses selling high-ticket offers.
3. Easy Pay Direct (EPD)
Best for: High-volume businesses and affiliate marketers
- Trusted by 20,000+ merchants globally
- Load balancing across multiple MIDs (merchant IDs)
- Handles up to $1M+/month in transactions
- Direct integrations with Keap, Stripe alternatives
EPD is the go-to for anyone scaling aggressively and needing fraud tools + redundancy.
4. Durango Merchant Services
Best for: International sellers, regulated verticals
- Specializes in international high-risk accounts
- Provides offshore banking solutions
- Includes chargeback alerts & dispute resolution tools
- Works with businesses in 30+ high-risk industries
💡 A top pick for high-risk merchants who need multi-currency support or foreign banks.
5. SMB Global
Best for: eCommerce, digital goods, crypto
- High approval rates for risky niches
- Offshore and domestic solutions
- PCI-DSS compliance included
- 24/7 fraud monitoring
💡 Great for mid-size to large eCommerce shops in gray areas like crypto, gaming, or forex.
How to Choose the Right High-Risk Processor
Here are the key factors to evaluate before signing with a provider:
1. Industry Approval
Not all processors accept all industries. Confirm that your niche (e.g., CBD, adult, forex, coaching) is supported.
2. Contract Terms
Look out for:
- Long-term lock-ins
- Early termination fees
- Rolling reserves (typically 5–10%)
3. Payment Gateway Compatibility
Make sure the provider integrates with your:
- eCommerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
- CRM or funnel builder (ClickFunnels, Kajabi)
- Point-of-sale (POS) system if needed
4. Fraud & Chargeback Protection
Top providers include:
- Chargeback alerts (Ethoca/Visa Resolve)
- Transaction scoring/fraud filters
- Velocity checks and billing verification
Related Article for Internal Linking
Offshore Business Bank Accounts for US LLCs – 2025 Guide
Explore how to open offshore accounts for your high-risk business to diversify payment risks.
Typical Fees for High-Risk Merchant Accounts
Expect higher costs than traditional processors:
- Setup Fee: $0–$1,000
- Monthly Fee: $25–$100
- Transaction Fee: 3.5% – 6.5% + $0.25
- Rolling Reserve: 5–10% of monthly volume (held for 6 months)
While the fees seem steep, they are often necessary to keep your business online and compliant.
❓ FAQ – High-Risk Merchant Accounts
Q1. What makes my business high-risk?
Any of the following:
- Operating in regulated or controversial niches (CBD, gambling, adult, crypto)
- High ticket or subscription models
- High chargebacks
- International sales
- Previous merchant account terminations
Q2. Can I use Stripe or PayPal for high-risk businesses?
Usually not. Stripe, PayPal, and Square ban or freeze high-risk accounts without notice. You risk frozen funds and blacklisting.
Q3. Are offshore high-risk merchant accounts safe?
Yes, if set up with reputable providers and in legally compliant jurisdictions. Offshore accounts can provide:
- Higher approval chances
- Lower reserves
- More privacy and flexibility
Q4. Can I lower my processing fees?
Yes — by:
- Reducing chargebacks
- Building strong transaction history
- Negotiating after 3–6 months of processing
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a high-risk industry, getting shut down by Stripe or PayPal is just a matter of time. The key to staying in business is working with a reliable high-risk merchant account provider who understands your niche and helps you stay compliant.
Whether you’re launching a new product, scaling ads, or protecting your assets, the providers listed above will help you get paid — safely and consistently — in 2025 and beyond.