# Stripe restricted business checker Title: Stripe restricted business checker Description: Look up a business type against Stripe's prohibited and restricted list, summarized on November 9, 2026. This does not say who else will accept it. The restricted-business checker summarizes Stripe's prohibited and restricted list for the categories people ask about most. It was read on November 9, 2026. It does not name another provider as accepting a category, and it does not replace Stripe's full list. A prohibited category stays prohibited at every processor. Summaries of Stripe's list at https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com, read November 9, 2026. This is not the full list, and it does not say which other providers accept a category. ## What is Stripe's stance on Illegal drugs, and substances sold to mimic them? Prohibited. Stripe prohibits illegal drugs, substances designed to mimic illegal drugs (its list names kava), and equipment meant for making or using drugs. A processor cannot legally clear card payments for a crime. Switching providers does not change that. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Adult content and services? Prohibited. Stripe prohibits adult services and pornography and other mature-audience content designed for sexual gratification, including AI-generated content that meets that test. The list also names adult video stores and strip clubs. Read Stripe's FAQ before you decide a specific product is outside the category. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Gambling, sweepstakes, and paid-entry games of skill? Prohibited. Stripe prohibits games of chance, internet gambling, casino games, sweepstakes and contests, fantasy sports with a prize, and games of skill with a monetary prize, including paid-entry tournaments. Lotteries and bidding-fee auctions are on the same list. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Marijuana? Prohibited. Marijuana is on Stripe's prohibited list. CBD is a different, restricted category, and only for products Stripe describes as containing negligible THC under local limits. Do not treat a CBD note as permission for cannabis. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Debt collection, debt settlement, and debt relief? Prohibited. Stripe prohibits debt collection agencies, and it prohibits debt settlement, debt negotiation, and debt consolidation. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Counterfeit goods and unauthorized brand-name sales? Prohibited. Stripe prohibits counterfeit goods, unauthorized sales of brand-name products, and other intellectual-property infringement. A new processor does not make a counterfeit catalog acceptable to the card networks. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Illegal weapons and explosives? Prohibited. Illegal weapons are prohibited. Legal firearms are a separate restricted category with limited availability, and Stripe tells those businesses to contact sales. A weapon that is illegal in the buyer's country stays prohibited. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Telemedicine, telehealth, online pharmacy, and prescription products? Restricted. Stripe lists online pharmacies, card-not-present prescription products, prescription medical devices, prescription delivery, and telemedicine and telehealth as restricted. Restricted means extra review, not approval. Stripe can refuse, and it can revoke an approval later. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on CBD with negligible THC? Restricted. Stripe lists CBD products that contain only negligible amounts of THC, within local limits, as restricted. This is not a published approval. Marijuana remains prohibited. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets? Restricted. Stripe lists cryptocurrency exchanges and wallets as restricted, with limited availability, and tells those businesses to contact sales. Availability also depends on the product. Read Stripe's current crypto support notes before you apply. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Lending, money transmission, and other financial services? Restricted. Stripe lists lending, money transmitters, remittances, currency exchange, escrow, BNPL, neobanks, and other financial services as restricted, and it says to contact sales. Some neighboring products, including debt collection and peer-to-peer money transmission, are prohibited rather than restricted. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Legal firearms and other legal weapons? Restricted. Stripe lists firearms, regulated parts such as suppressors, and certain other weapons as restricted, with limited availability, and it says to contact sales. Where the weapon is illegal, Stripe says it stays prohibited. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes? Restricted. Stripe lists tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes sold in accordance with law as restricted. For the United States it says electronic-tobacco merchants may only sell products authorized by the FDA. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Online dating and matchmaking? Restricted. Online dating is restricted. Stripe notes extra prohibitions in some countries, including India, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Crowdfunding and fundraising platforms? Restricted. Crowdfunding platforms and several kinds of fundraising are restricted. Equity crowdfunding and some charity products are limited to named countries. A platform that hosts other people's campaigns is a different case from a single nonprofit taking a donation. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## What is Stripe's stance on Content platforms that pay third-party creators? Restricted. Platforms that host third-party content and let creators take tips or sell exclusive content are restricted. Stripe says individual creators selling their own content, and creators on an approved platform, do not need that same preapproval. Adult content is still prohibited. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ## Questions ### What is the difference between prohibited and restricted? Prohibited means Stripe says not to use its services for that business. Restricted means Stripe may review it, refuse it, or revoke an approval. The list was read on November 9, 2026. ### Does switching processors fix a prohibited category? No. Card networks and banks sit behind a prohibition. Another logo does not make the payment lawful. ### Does this checker say Frame Payments accepts a category? No. The high-risk page explains Frame's up-front US underwriting. A listing is not an approval, and Frame does not publish an accepted-industry list this site will invent. ### Is this Stripe's full list? No. The full list is at https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com. This tool covers the categories people ask about. Read the source before you decide a product is outside a category. ### What Stripe rate is unrelated to this list? Acceptance is not a discount. Stripe's US domestic card rate remains 2.9% + $0.30 on November 9, 2026 for businesses Stripe supports. ## Sources Last verified November 9, 2026. - Stripe prohibited and restricted businesses: https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com - Stripe pricing: https://stripe.com/pricing?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stripealternatives.com ## Related - [Pricing tools](/tools.md) - [How to read Stripe's restricted list](/guides/stripe-restricted-businesses.md) - [What to do if Stripe closes the account](/guides/stripe-closed-my-account.md) - [High-risk Stripe alternatives](/best/high-risk.md) - [Is Stripe right for higher-risk businesses?](/guides/stripe-high-risk.md) - [Stripe alternatives directory](/index.md) - [Stripe pricing profile](/alternatives/stripe.md)