E-commerce is expanding rapidly, with global online sales projected to reach $6.42 trillion by 2025. Asia alone will generate more than $2 trillion in online revenue, representing more than half of all global e-commerce transactions. For online businesses competing in this market, managing payments efficiently is a fundamental part of success. To accept online payments securely, every e-commerce business needs a merchant account.
An e-commerce merchant account is a special type of bank account that allows businesses to accept credit card payments, debit card payments, and digital wallet transactions through their e-commerce website or e-commerce platform. It temporarily holds customer funds while the payment processor and payment gateway complete the transaction and clear it for settlement.
In short, it bridges the gap between your online store and your business bank account. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to process most forms of online payment, including cards and alternative payment methods such as mobile payments or bank transfers.
When a customer makes a purchase on your e-commerce website, several steps occur in the background:
Throughout this process, fraud monitoring and advanced fraud detection tools help identify suspicious transactions, reducing chargebacks and unauthorised activity.
Traditional or dedicated merchant accounts are opened directly with a bank or acquirer. They suit high-volume or high-risk businesses such as travel agencies or CBD retailers. These accounts come with customised rates and settlement schedules, offering more control but requiring longer approval times.
Aggregated or PSP merchant accounts (through providers such as online payment service providers) group multiple e-commerce merchants under one shared account. They are easier to set up and ideal for startups or SMEs needing quick access to payment processing. Settlement times may vary, and pricing is usually standardised.
Merchant accounts can also differ by risk profile or sales model:
A standard merchant account supports card payments in physical retail environments. Transactions are processed when the card is present and verified through a terminal.
An e-commerce merchant account, on the other hand, supports card-not-present transactions. These carry more risk, as the buyer and card are not physically present. As a result, e-commerce accounts require additional layers of security, such as PCI DSS compliance, tokenisation, and real-time fraud screening.
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E-commerce merchant account |
Standard merchant account |
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Transaction type |
Online, card-not-present |
In-person, card-present |
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Security requirements |
High – includes PCI DSS, encryption, and fraud monitoring |
Lower – chip & PIN verification |
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Fraud risk |
Higher, requires advanced fraud detection |
Lower due to physical verification |
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Integration |
Linked to e-commerce platform and payment gateway |
Integrated with POS terminals |
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Settlement time |
Typically 1–3 days |
Usually same or next business day |
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Supported payment methods |
Cards, wallets, and online payment types |
Primarily card and cash transactions |
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Customer experience |
Online checkout and digital authorisation |
In-store payment interaction |
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Setup process |
Requires verification and online integration |
Simple POS setup with acquiring bank |
Having a dedicated e-commerce merchant account provides several operational and financial benefits:
Any online business that accepts card payments or other electronic transactions needs an e-commerce merchant account. That includes:
Even small online stores benefit from having a merchant account, as it allows them to handle credit card transactions securely and expand into new markets.
Setting up a merchant account usually involves these steps:
When evaluating an e-commerce merchant account provider, consider the following:
Antom offers PCI-compliant merchant services, multi-currency settlement, and embedded fraud control, helping merchants process online payments confidently and securely.
For any e-commerce business, having the right merchant account is as essential as having a reliable payment gateway or payment processor. It’s the financial foundation that makes secure and compliant payment processing possible. With global e-commerce continuing to expand, the right setup allows you to accept more payment methods, reach more customers, and protect every credit card transaction.
Antom supports businesses of all sizes with merchant accounts, advanced fraud detection, and flexible settlement solutions that make it easier to manage funds and maintain control across markets. By understanding how merchant accounts work and choosing the right partner, you can strengthen your payment system and grow with confidence in an increasingly digital economy.