If Stripe's service failure or wrongful account action causes your business significant financial harm — for example, lost sales during a service outage or revenue lost during an improper fund hold — Stripe's liability to compensate you is strictly capped at a fraction of what you paid in fees, not the actual losses you suffered.
Businesses using Stripe may have their payouts withheld or placed in reserve for up to 180 days based on Stripe's unilateral risk assessment, potentially disrupting cash flow with limited recourse. Stripe can terminate or suspend accounts immediately, cutting off access to payment processing and potentially funds held in reserve. You can review and negotiate reserve terms before signing, and should maintain alternative payment processing arrangements as a contingency.