Industries and Businesses We Support

What Types of Businesses and Industries does Easy Pay Direct Support?

Easy Pay Direct supports a wide range of businesses across many industries, including both standard and higher-risk business models. Support is based on how a business operates, how transactions are processed, and whether the model aligns with bank and card network requirements.

Rather than focusing on a fixed list of approved industries, Easy Pay Direct evaluates each business individually and works to identify banking partners that may be appropriate for the specific risk profile and operating structure involved.

Support does not imply approval, and all Merchant Accounts remain subject to Underwriting review and ongoing compliance standards.

To view a list of industries we work with, click here.

Merchant account availability depends on where your business is legally established, where your settlement bank account is located, and which banking partner can support your business model. Final approval is always determined by the bank and its underwriting team.

U.S. merchant accounts (including foreign-owned businesses)

To apply for a U.S. merchant account, U.S. banking requirements typically include:

  • A U.S. legal entity

  • A U.S. bank account

  • A U.S. resident citizen as the owner/signer on the merchant agreement

Possible exceptions (case by case, not guaranteed):

  • A physical U.S. office address where employees or contractors regularly work

  • A U.S. residential address tied to the business

  • A U.S.-based co-signer (does not need to be an owner or provide a personal guarantee, but ideally tied to the business, like a manager)

Merchant accounts outside the U.S. (EU)

Easy Pay Direct also supports EU merchant accounts for businesses established in supported EU countries. These generally do not require a U.S. entity or U.S. banking presence.

Supported EU countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Quick FAQ

Do I need a U.S. entity for a U.S. merchant account?
Yes. Typically you need a U.S. entity, a U.S. bank account, and a U.S. resident signer.

Can foreigners apply without all three requirements?
Sometimes, but only in specific cases with a U.S. presence or a qualified co-signer. Approval is not guaranteed.

What if I’m based in Europe?
If your business is established in a supported EU country, you can often apply without a U.S. presence.

Are There Industries or Business Models Easy Pay Direct Cannot Support?

Yes. Some industries and business models cannot be supported for card processing because banks, card networks, and applicable laws and regulations prohibit them or place restrictions on how they can operate. When a business falls into a prohibited category, a Merchant Account cannot be approved through traditional banking channels, regardless of provider.

Easy Pay Direct does not create these rules and cannot override them. Our role is to review your business model and help determine whether it can be supported, what requirements may apply, and which banking partners may be appropriate.

In general, there are two common categories:

  • Restricted industries: These businesses may still be eligible for a Merchant Account, but they are often considered higher risk and may require additional documentation, specific operational controls, and a specialized banking partner during Underwriting.
  • Prohibited industries: These businesses cannot be supported for card processing through Easy Pay Direct, and they are typically not supportable through most banking and processor relationships due to network and regulatory rules.

Examples of commonly prohibited categories include:

  • Adult video content
  • Psilocybin mushrooms
  • Payday loans
  • Bail bonds
  • Garcinia (and certain other restricted supplement categories)

For a comprehensive breakdown of restricted versus prohibited categories, refer to our full industry list for details and current eligibility guidance.

Supportability is always evaluated through Underwriting, and eligibility can vary by jurisdiction and banking partner.