Businesses in the restricted category must obtain Stripe's prior written approval before accepting the Services Agreement or using any Stripe services; failure to obtain this approval before onboarding constitutes a violation of the policy.
This analysis describes what Stripe's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes a pre-clearance obligation that must be satisfied before any payment processing commences; businesses that onboard without obtaining written approval while operating in a restricted category are in violation of the terms regardless of whether their business would otherwise qualify for approval.
Under this clause, businesses in restricted categories that begin using Stripe without prior written approval are operating outside the terms of the agreement, which the Services Agreement authorizes Stripe to address through account suspension or termination. The agreement requires the approval process to be completed before accepting the Services Agreement, not after.
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"The following categories of businesses, business activities, and sale items are restricted from using Stripe's services without Stripe's prior written approval ("Restricted Businesses"). If your business falls under any of the following categories, you must contact Stripe before accepting the Stripe Services Agreement and before using Stripe's services.Excerpt from Stripe's Restricted Businesses List
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Restricted categories include cryptocurrency businesses, debt collection agencies, extended warranty providers, and certain travel services, each of which engages sector-specific licensing and consumer protection frameworks.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This provision establishes a pre-clearance obligation that must be satisfied before any payment processing commences; businesses that onboard without obtaining written approval while operating in a restricted category are in violation of the terms regardless of whether their business would otherwise qualify for approval.
Under this clause, businesses in restricted categories that begin using Stripe without prior written approval are operating outside the terms of the agreement, which the Services Agreement authorizes Stripe to address through account suspension or termination. The agreement requires the approval process to be completed before accepting the Services Agreement, not after.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 282 platforms. See the full comparison.
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