Top Merchant Accounts for CBD Stores in 2025
The CBD industry continues to face unique challenges when it comes to payment processing. Despite the legal status of hemp-derived CBD products under the 2018 Farm Bill, many traditional payment processors still classify CBD businesses as “high-risk.” This classification makes finding a reliable CBD merchant account essential for online and brick-and-mortar CBD stores.
If you’re running a CBD business, you need a payment processor that understands the industry’s complexities, offers competitive rates, and provides stable, long-term processing solutions. Here are the top merchant account providers for CBD stores in 2025.
What Makes a CBD Merchant Account “High-Risk”?
Before diving into our top picks, it’s important to understand why CBD merchant accounts are considered high-risk:
- Regulatory uncertainty: Despite federal legalization of hemp-derived CBD, state laws vary significantly
- Chargebacks: CBD products have higher-than-average chargeback rates due to customer disputes and product expectations
- Industry reputation: The connection to cannabis creates banking hesitancy
- Compliance complexity: Strict THC limits and testing requirements create additional oversight needs
High-risk merchant account providers specialize in working with CBD businesses, offering solutions that traditional processors won’t provide.
Top CBD Merchant Account Providers for 2025
1. DirectPayNet
Best For: Established CBD businesses seeking comprehensive payment solutions
DirectPayNet has built a strong reputation in the high-risk merchant account space, with particular expertise in CBD and hemp processing. They offer domestic and offshore payment processing solutions tailored specifically for CBD merchants.
Key Features:
- Multiple processing options, including domestic and offshore accounts
- Chargeback prevention and mitigation services
- Thorough pre-vetting to avoid post-approval surprises
- Experience with both CBD oil and full-spectrum products
- Dedicated account management
Pricing: Custom quotes based on business volume and risk profile
Why Choose DirectPayNet: Their specialized knowledge of CBD compliance requirements and industry-specific support make them an excellent choice for businesses that need a processor who truly understands the CBD market.
2. PaymentCloud
Best For: Startups and businesses with credit challenges
PaymentCloud is known for working with businesses that other processors reject. They have extensive experience with CBD merchants and offer flexible underwriting standards.
Key Features:
- Approval rates over 95% for CBD businesses
- No early termination fees
- Next-day funding available
- Integration with major shopping carts
- Free terminal placement programs
Pricing: Rates typically range from 2.9% to 4.5% per transaction
Why Choose PaymentCloud: Their willingness to work with newer businesses and those with less-than-perfect credit histories makes them accessible to a wide range of CBD merchants.
3. Maverick BankCard
Best For: High-volume CBD retailers
Maverick BankCard specializes in high-risk industries and has developed robust solutions for CBD merchants processing significant monthly volumes.
Key Features:
- Competitive rates for high-volume merchants
- Offshore merchant account options
- ACH and eCheck processing
- Multi-currency support for international sales
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing: Volume-based pricing with rates starting at 2.95%
Why Choose Maverick BankCard: If your CBD business processes over $50,000 monthly, their volume discounts and enterprise-level features provide excellent value.
4. PayKings
Best For: CBD merchants seeking dedicated support and reliability
PayKings has established itself as a trusted name in high-risk CBD payment processing, with years of specialized experience in the CBD industry. They offer comprehensive merchant account services with personalized support.
Key Features:
- Dedicated account managers for personalized service
- Direct network of over 20 banks and payment service providers
- High approval rates for CBD businesses
- Advanced fraud protection and chargeback prevention
- Integration with major eCommerce platforms
- No account closures due to CBD classification
Pricing: Custom quotes based on business profile and volume
Why Choose PayKings: Their dedicated account manager system ensures you have a reliable point of contact who understands your business, and their extensive banking network provides stability and backup options if issues arise.
5. Offshore Merchant Accounts (Via Specialized Brokers)
Best For: Businesses seeking maximum stability and lower chargeback liability
For CBD merchants experiencing frequent account shutdowns or excessive reserves with domestic processors, offshore merchant accounts provide an alternative solution.
Key Features:
- Greater processing stability
- Reduced reserve requirements in many cases
- Less restrictive underwriting standards
- Multi-currency capabilities
- Protection from domestic banking restrictions
Common Offshore Jurisdictions: UK, Malta, Cyprus, and other EU countries
Pricing: Typically 4% to 8% per transaction, plus monthly fees
Considerations: Offshore accounts often have higher fees but provide increased stability. They’re best suited for established businesses with consistent processing volumes above $25,000 monthly.
How to Access: Work with a high-risk merchant account broker who has established relationships with offshore acquiring banks. Providers like DirectPayNet and Maverick BankCard can facilitate these arrangements.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a CBD Merchant Account
1. Processing Fees and Rate Structure
CBD merchant accounts typically charge between 2.9% and 6% per transaction. Be wary of providers offering rates that seem too good to be true—they often come with hidden fees or unstable processing.
2. Reserve Requirements
Many high-risk processors require rolling reserves (typically 5-10% of transactions held for 6 months) to protect against chargebacks. Negotiate these terms carefully.
3. Chargeback Protection
Look for providers offering chargeback alerts, prevention tools, and reasonable chargeback thresholds (1% or higher).
4. Contract Terms
Avoid processors with long-term contracts and excessive early termination fees. Month-to-month agreements provide more flexibility as your business grows.
5. Payment Gateway Integration
Ensure the merchant account integrates with your e-commerce platform, whether it’s Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or a custom solution.
6. Customer Support
CBD merchants need responsive support when issues arise. Look for providers offering 24/7 assistance and dedicated account managers.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Guaranteed approval without application review: Legitimate processors must underwrite your business
- Requests for upfront fees: While application fees are common, large upfront payments are suspicious
- No physical address or phone number: Only work with established companies with verifiable contact information
- Pressure tactics: Reputable processors give you time to review contracts and terms
Application Requirements for CBD Merchant Accounts
To streamline your application process, prepare these documents:
- Business formation documents (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Processing statements (if switching processors)
- Website or storefront details
- Product descriptions and THC testing results
- Voided check for settlement account
- Driver’s license or government ID
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right CBD Merchant Account
The right CBD merchant account can be the difference between smooth operations and constant processing headaches. While DirectPayNet, PaymentCloud, and other specialized high-risk processors offer excellent solutions for domestic processing, don’t overlook offshore options if you’re experiencing stability issues with domestic accounts.
Consider your business size, processing volume, and risk tolerance when making your decision. Most CBD merchants benefit from applying to multiple processors to compare terms and ensure they have backup options if processing issues arise.
Ready to Get Started?
The CBD industry presents unique challenges, but with the right merchant account partner, you can process payments reliably and grow your business with confidence. Whether you’re a startup looking for your first merchant account or an established business seeking better rates and stability, the providers listed above offer specialized solutions for CBD merchants in 2025.
Take Action Now: Research the providers that best fit your business model, prepare your application materials, and reach out for custom quotes. Many CBD merchant account providers offer free consultations to help you understand your options and find the best processing solution for your specific needs.
Don’t let payment processing hold back your CBD business—partner with a provider who understands your industry and can support your growth.