Merchant

Archie's take

Merchant (Shark Processing) is a specialized payment processor built for businesses in high-risk industries—think CBD, adult, supplements, or online gaming—who struggle to get approved by mainstream providers. Its standout advantage is deep expertise in underwriting and risk management for these verticals, plus a broad menu of payment options (credit cards, ACH, international payments) that many competitors simply won’t touch. However, onboarding can be more involved than with standard processors, and rates are typically higher to offset risk, so it’s not a fit for low-risk, high-volume e-commerce. Value-wise, it’s a lifeline for businesses that would otherwise be shut out of online payments, but you’ll want to weigh the premium pricing against your transaction needs and risk profile.