Why Checkout.com Accepts What Stripe Rejects
Checkout.com is purpose-built for high-growth, high-risk businesses. Here's what makes them different:
Gaming & Crypto Specialists
❌ Stripe: Stripe auto-rejects gaming, crypto, NFT businesses
✅ Checkout.com: Dedicated gaming/crypto underwriting teams
Stripe: ~10% approval • Checkout.com: 86%
Global Payment Coverage
❌ Stripe: Limited to 46 countries, weak LATAM support
✅ Checkout.com: 150+ currencies, 195 countries, strong APAC/LATAM
Stripe: 46 countries • Checkout.com: Global
High-Volume Tolerance
❌ Stripe: Flags rapid growth, holds >$100K spikes
✅ Checkout.com: Built for scale, processes billions monthly
Stripe: Conservative • Checkout.com: Scale-ready
Chargeback Flexibility
❌ Stripe: Terminates at 0.75%, flags at 0.65%
✅ Checkout.com: Tolerates 1.5-2% with monitoring programs
Stripe: 0.65% max • Checkout.com: 2% tolerable
Alternative Payment Methods
❌ Stripe: Limited to cards, ACH, some wallets
✅ Checkout.com: APMs, crypto, local methods, 150+ currencies
Stripe: Card-focused • Checkout.com: Multi-method
Enterprise Infrastructure
❌ Stripe: Standard SaaS-optimized stack
✅ Checkout.com: Custom underwriting, dedicated account managers
Stripe: Automated • Checkout.com: White-glove
How to Prepare Your Checkout.com Application
Maximize your approval odds by preparing these items BEFORE applying. Incomplete applications get auto-rejected.
Business Documentation
🎯 Required for approval
- Articles of incorporation (or equivalent)
- Business license (if regulated industry)
- EIN/Tax ID confirmation letter
- Director/shareholder identification (passport + proof of address)
💡 Pro Tip: Have documents ready in English. Non-English docs need certified translations.
Processing History
🎯 Significantly boosts odds
- Last 3-6 months of statements from current processor
- Chargeback reports (show <1.5% if possible)
- Monthly volume trends (highlight growth)
- Refund rate documentation
💡 Pro Tip: If you have <6 months history, prepare detailed financial projections.
Website & Business Model
🎯 Underwriters review this first
- Live website with clear product/service descriptions
- Terms of Service + Privacy Policy visible
- Refund/cancellation policy prominently displayed
- Contact information (address, phone, email)
💡 Pro Tip: Remove "high-risk" language. Say "skill-based gaming" not "gambling".
Financial Projections
🎯 Especially for new businesses
- Monthly processing volume estimates (12 months)
- Average transaction value + expected range
- Customer acquisition plan
- Marketing/growth strategy
💡 Pro Tip: Be conservative. Overestimating raises red flags. Under-promise, over-deliver.
Risk Mitigation Plan
🎯 Differentiates strong applications
- Chargeback prevention strategy (3D Secure, etc.)
- Fraud detection tools you use
- Customer support availability (24/7 for gaming)
- Verification procedures for high-value transactions
💡 Pro Tip: Mention specific tools: Sift, Riskified, Signifyd. Shows you're proactive.
Financial Stability
🎯 Reduces perceived risk
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Balance sheet if incorporated >1 year
- Proof of reserves (especially for crypto)
- Funding/investment documentation
💡 Pro Tip: Show runway. Checkout.com wants to see you can survive chargebacks.
Personalized for your business • Identifies weak spots • Takes 60 seconds
Your Checkout.com Approval Odds by Risk Profile
ML-predicted approval odds based on 1,200+ real Checkout.com merchant outcomes. Your specific odds depend on your unique profile.
Gaming (Skill-Based)
Skill-based gaming, esports betting, fantasy sports
Processing history >6 months, chargeback <1%, proper licensing
Pure chance gambling, no license, new business
Crypto/NFT/Web3
Crypto exchanges, NFT marketplaces, DeFi, token sales
Established platform, AML/KYC compliance, proof of reserves
Anonymous transactions, no KYC, high-volatility tokens
High-Volume E-Commerce
Digital goods, dropshipping, marketplace, subscriptions
$50K+/month volume, <0.8% chargeback, clear product descriptions
Dropship with no inventory control, vague product pages
Global/Cross-Border
Multi-currency, APAC/LATAM focus, international customers
Established business, local payment methods, currency hedging
No local entity, high-chargeback countries, no hedging
Nutraceuticals/Supplements
Vitamins, supplements, CBD (where legal), wellness
FDA-compliant, clear disclaimers, no disease claims
Gray-area substances, misleading claims, no lab testing
Travel/Ticketing
Tours, events, bookings, experiences
Established operator, clear cancellation policy, bonding
Future-dated services >6 months, no refund protection
Adult/Dating
Adult content, dating platforms, webcam services
Age verification, compliance program, established brand
No age verification, anonymous content, user-generated material
Brand New Business (<3 months)
No processing history, pre-launch, new merchants
Strong financials, experienced founders, detailed projections
No runway, inexperienced, vague business plan
"We're a crypto wallet with NFT marketplace features. Stripe rejected us in 24 hours. Used MerchantGuard's readiness check, fixed 3 compliance gaps they flagged, applied to Checkout.com. Approved in 5 days. Processing $400K/month now. Worth the 3.2% fees."
Is Checkout.com Your Best Option?
Checkout.com is excellent for many high-risk profiles, but not always the #1 choice. Here's how to decide:
Choose Checkout.com If
- Gaming, crypto, NFT, or high-volume e-commerce
- Need global coverage (APAC, LATAM, EU)
- Processing >$50K/month with growth plans
- Can afford 2.9-4.5% fees for approval
- Need alternative payment methods
- Want enterprise-level fraud tools
Consider Alternatives If
- Pure CBD/adult (try PaymentCloud, eMerchant)
- Volume <$20K/month (Stripe/Square more cost-effective)
- LATAM-only (Conekta better rates/coverage)
- US-only operations (Braintree, Authorize.Net simpler)
- Need immediate approval (some specialists faster)
- Can't meet $50K+ monthly minimums
💡 Pro Strategy: Multi-PSP Redundancy
High-risk merchants should never rely on a single processor. Best practice:
- Primary: Checkout.com (86% approval, global coverage)
- Backup: PaymentCloud (high-risk specialist, MATCH-friendly)
- Regional: Conekta for LATAM, Braintree for low-risk fallback
MerchantGuard's assessment identifies your optimal multi-PSP stack based on your risk profile.
Check Your Checkout.com Readiness in 60 Seconds
Get your personalized readiness score, approval odds, and preparation checklist. Avoid the 90-day rejection lockout by applying only when you're ready.
Start Free Readiness Check →Disclaimer: Approval odds are ML predictions based on historical merchant outcomes and should not be considered guarantees. Actual approval depends on Checkout.com's underwriting criteria, application quality, and current risk appetite. MerchantGuard is an educational readiness tool and does not submit applications, negotiate terms, or guarantee approvals. We may earn referral fees from payment processors including Checkout.com. Checkout.com is a registered trademark of Checkout.com.
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