Updated: August 19, 2025
Introduction
8am (“8am”, “our”, “us”, or “we”) prohibits or restricts certain types of businesses and activities, as outlined below. This list reflects categories identified by our payment processor partners as prohibited and may also include other business types that we determine pose legal, compliance, or risk concerns. Some activities may be restricted—rather than fully prohibited—at 8am’s sole discretion based on factors such as licensing requirements or other risk considerations.
If you would like to confirm whether your business falls within a prohibited or restricted category, please contact us at risk@8am.com.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may be updated from time to time without notice.
Prohibited Businesses
Adult content and services
Adult streaming, downloads, DVDs, and escort services
Sexually-oriented entertainment (e.g., strip clubs, massage parlors, escort agencies)
Casual or paid dating services
Fetish products
Phone sex operators
Adult publications and media
Financial services
Bearer share entities
Binary options, high-risk securities, CFDs, ICOs, forex trading
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and installment schemes
Payday loans, check cashing, predatory lending
Debt collection, credit repair, counseling, restoration, or settlement
Currency exchange, FOREX, cryptocurrency trading/exchanges
Life insurance sales/services
Money transfer, remittance, wire services (non-bank)
Payroll, invoicing, and business service providers
Unlicensed or independent financial advisors
Financial aid, grants, and scholarships solicitation services
Merchant aggregators and payment facilitators
Illegal, high-risk, or regulated substances
Marijuana (medical/recreational) and related businesses
Drug paraphernalia or MOTO/e-commerce drug products
Human body parts/fluids (excluding hair/teeth)
Prohibited or synthetic drugs: THC, HGH, HCG, Ephedra, Kratom, Kava Kava, Salvia, synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., K2/Spice), synthetic cathinones ("bath salts")
Any consumable hemp product or psychoactive substance
Peptides, hormone pills, intravenous therapy businesses
Any substance illegal under federal/state law
Marketing practices
Deceptive marketing tactics, misrepresentation, pre-checked opt-ins
Negative option/continuity billing models
Get-rich-quick or coaching/business opportunity schemes
Pyramid schemes or multilevel marketing
Buying clubs, subscription traps
Fake references or fabricated reviews
Sweepstakes, lotteries, betting, or any chance-based marketing
Tobacco and vaping products
E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape juice, hookah products
Online or MOTO sale of tobacco or nicotine products
Technology and security violations
Decryption/descrambler devices or jammers
Grey market satellite dealers/cable descramblers
Use of IP or logos without authorization
Failure to meet PCI-DSS security standards or use of vulnerable payment applications
Internet or online technical support businesses
Gambling, gaming, and investments
Online/offline casinos, poker, sports betting, lotteries, fantasy sports
Sweepstakes or contests offering material prizes
Game of skill for cash equivalents
Cryptocurrency exchanges
Direct/telemarketing sales
Inbound or outbound telemarketing
Direct marketing of regulated products
Mail order or catalog merchants
Door-to-door sales
Lead generation services
Timeshare sales/marketing/recovery/maintenance
Business investment opportunities operating as get-rich-quick schemes
High-risk or controversial products/services
Weapons, ammunition, explosives, firearm parts
Fireworks or radioactive materials
Hazardous chemicals sold B2C (e.g., nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid)
Endangered wildlife products
Nutraceuticals and food products (including Acai berry, green tea extract, diet pills, etc.)
Extended warranties or contracts over 1 year
Advanced ticket sales (where fulfillment is uncertain)
Cruise lines and vacation clubs with memberships
Social media follower generation services
Cyber lockers and high-risk file sharing services
Content or services promoting hate, discrimination, or terrorism
Bail bonds, bankruptcy lawyers
Mail-order spouses and international matchmaking
Psychic services (MO/TO or online)
Counterfeit products, replicas, or designed infringements
Miscellaneous
Airlines
Governmental services (e.g., consulates, embassies)
Non-U.S. residents or offshore/international merchants
Aggregator platforms or staged digital wallet operators
Magazines/subscription clearinghouses
Any merchant under fraud or compliance investigation