Acquiring
High-risk merchant
A merchant whose vertical, business model, or chargeback profile makes standard acquirers reluctant to board them.
High-risk verticals include adult, gaming, CBD, pharma, FX/CFD, crypto, travel, subscription wellness, and any model with deferred delivery or high chargeback exposure. They typically face higher rates, rolling reserves, and stricter monitoring, and need specialist acquirers who understand the vertical.
Related terms
The licensed bank or financial institution that holds the merchant's MID and settles card transactions on the merchant's behalf.
A percentage of each transaction held by the acquirer for a fixed period (e.g. 10% for 180 days) to cover chargeback risk.
A forced reversal of a card payment initiated by the cardholder's issuing bank.
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