FTC warns major payment CEOs
The FTC sent warning letters to the CEOs of PayPal, Stripe, Visa and Mastercard reminding them of legal obligations to customers—part of growing regulatory focus on payment flows. That creates a commercial risk vector for creators: contracts should now clearly specify payment platforms, fees and timelines to avoid delays or disputes. (swoknews.com)
FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson signed the letters dated March 26, 2026. (ftc.gov) The letters explicitly cite President Trump’s August 7, 2025 executive order saying it is “unacceptable to debank law‑abiding citizens” based on political affiliations or religious beliefs. (ftc.gov) The agency warned that any act to “deplatform customers or deny them access to financial products or services,” or to facilitate such conduct by other companies, may violate the FTC Act and “could lead to an FTC investigation and potential enforcement action.” (ftc.gov) The FTC noted it has previously brought enforcement actions against payment infrastructure platforms for unfair or deceptive practices, including misleading merchants about fees and contract terms and facilitating fraud through card networks. (ftc.gov) Stripe issued a public denial that it restricts access on the basis of politics after the FTC letter, describing the agency’s concerns as inconsistent with Stripe’s stated policies. (marketwatch.com) The commission currently operates with only two commissioners, a staffing detail cited by reporting as part of the regulatory context for possible investigations. (paymentsdive.com) All four letters and the agency’s guidance are posted at the FTC warning‑letters page, and the March 26, 2026 press release directs interested parties to file complaints at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (ftc.gov)
