Author: Maria Sparagis

Maria Sparagis is President of DirectPayNet, where she's spent over 20 years helping businesses scale to six-, seven-, and eight-figure revenue through optimized payment processing. She works hands-on with business owners to solve merchant account challenges, reduce processing costs, and implement payment strategies that support real growth. Maria is a regular speaker at fintech conferences and writes about practical approaches that help businesses break through revenue plateaus.

GetStripeBack – Accepting Payments After Shutdown

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If you’re reading this, you may have just experienced the shock and frustration of having your Stripe account shut down unexpectedly. One moment, you were processing payments and running your online business smoothly. The next, you found yourself locked out of your account, unable to accept payments or access your funds. As a business owner, […]

Stripe’s $1.1 Billion Acquisition of Bridge

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The Stripe Bridge acquisition not only marks the largest deal in the crypto industry to date but supports the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies. Read more about the acquisition and what it means for your checkout, whether you use Stripe or not. ACCEPT CRYPTO PAYMENTS TODAY Why It Matters Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge demonstrates its strong […]

Final FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule Announced, Subscription Merchants Listen Up

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a final “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at simplifying the process of ending recurring subscriptions. This rule addresses the growing frustration among consumers who find it difficult to cancel unwanted services. By mandating that businesses make cancellation as straightforward as enrollment, the FTC empowers consumers and reduces deceptive practices in […]

Do NOT Offer Lifetime Memberships, Big Compliance Risk

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The promise of a “lifetime membership” can be alluring to both businesses and consumers. However, recent events surrounding the closure of Clixlo.app have shed light on the potential pitfalls of such offers. Clixlo.app, a popular marketing automation tool and white label of High Level, recently announced its impending shutdown and the forced migration of its […]

Everything You Need to Know About Offshore Merchant Accounts

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Offshore merchant accounts offer a lifeline to companies that struggle with traditional payment processing options. These specialized accounts allow businesses to accept credit card payments through banks located outside their home country. For many entrepreneurs, they represent an opportunity to overcome regulatory hurdles, tap into new customer bases, and process higher transaction volumes. But what […]