Merchant Onboarding
Get approved and start accepting payments faster
CatalystPay helps businesses in low- and high-risk verticals get approved and start card processing faster — by running upfront risk pre-checks, matching you to the best-fit acquirer from our network of 30+, and handling everything through a paperless, fully supported process.
Automated merchant onboarding, guided by real specialists
Our onboarding is highly automated to move fast, but a real specialist stays in the loop at every decision that counts: reviewing your application, selecting the right acquirer, and structuring your pricing.
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Automated where it speeds you up
Application, document collection, and status updates run through a streamlined digital flow - no paperwork, no waiting on manual admin.
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Human where it matters
Our underwriting and risk specialists personally review your business, choose the best-fit acquirer from our 30+ network, and negotiate your commercial terms.
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Built for low and high risk
From standard e-commerce to high-risk verticals like iGaming, forex, and crypto, we match you to acquirers that actually support your business — with pricing structured to your risk profile.
How our merchant onboarding works
After an initial consultation, you'll get a clear guided process to get you approved and start processing sooner.
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1
Apply & get pre-approved
Initial consultation, acquirer selection, and upfront risk pre-checks (URL, KYC, AML), ending in a tailored pricing proposal. -
2
Contract & underwrite
You confirm pricing and submit documents; the acquirer completes full underwriting and approves your account. -
Integrate & go live
Once approved by the acquirer, we send you the MIDs details, API keys, you integrate via plugin, hosted page, or server-to-server, then test and start processing.
Tailored pricing, transparent from the start
Once your application is pre-approved, you receive a clear pricing proposal built around your business and risk profile — every fee laid out up front, nothing hidden.
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Pricing matched to your business
We negotiate your model and rates with the acquirer — flat-rate or IC++ — based on your vertical, volumes, and risk profile.
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Every fee, up front
Your proposal breaks down all applicable fees — transaction, refund, chargeback, settlement — so you can review everything at a glance before you commit.
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Structured for high-risk where needed
For high-risk businesses, we structure terms like settlement periods, reserves, and scheme registrations transparently, so there are no surprises later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about Merchant Onboarding? Find the answers here.
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Am I eligible to apply for Catalystpay.com services?
You are eligible to apply for Catalystpay.com services, if you have your business registered in any of the European Economic Area Member States, UK, USA and your business is not in the prohibited industries list. Please Contact Us to find out more information about the eligibility of your business. -
What is merchant onboarding?
Merchant onboarding is the process of getting a business vetted, approved, and set up to accept card payments through an acquiring bank or payment processor — covering risk underwriting, KYC/KYB, website compliance, contracting, and integration of your merchant account (MID). See how the merchant onboarding process works -
How long does merchant onboarding take?
Standard-risk businesses are typically onboarded in 1–3 weeks, and high-risk industries in 3–8 weeks. Our automated flow plus upfront pre-checks help keep timelines short; the main variable is how quickly you provide documents. -
What documents do I need for merchant onboarding?
Typically your Certificate of Incorporation and company documents, valid director/principal ID, proof of address, proof of domain ownership, a signed PCI DSS SAQ, and a bank confirmation letter. High-risk verticals may need additional documents. See the full documents checklist -
Can you onboard high-risk businesses?
Yes. As an ISO connected to 30+ acquirers, we match high-risk merchants — iGaming, forex, crypto, subscriptions, cross-border e-commerce — to acquirers that actively support their vertical, with pricing and reserve terms structured to their risk profile. Explore our high-risk merchant account solutions -
Can I work with more than one acquirer?
Yes and we recommend it. A multi-acquirer setup improves approval and conversion rates, lets you route failed transactions to backup acquirers, strengthens negotiating power, and protects you if one acquirer has issues. -
How do I apply for Catalystpay.com services?
To open a merchant or banking account with Catalystpay.com, you’ll need to fill out a short application form. Once you’ve submitted your application our Sales team will contact you for a follow up discussion within 24 hours. We will help you identify the best payment and/or banking solutions based on your business vertical, geographical locations, and other preferences. We shall support you all the way through the onboarding process (1. Application, 2. Integration, 3. Contracting and 4. MID/IBAN issuing) so that you can really focus on growing your business.
For AML reasons we have to adhere to our Know-Your-Customer (KYC) policy and may request you to provide some personal information in order to fulfill the identification and authentication requirements. -
What personal data do you collect?
The personal information we need from you to apply for our services include your name, phone number, email address. Among other things, we use your personal data to verify your identity, protect you against fraud, and provide you our services. You can find out more information about this in our Privacy Policy.