Credit card fraud will hit $43 billion in 2026, but the headline number doesn’t tell the full story. Every $1 lost to fraud actually costs merchants $3.75. And processors? They profit whether fraud happens or not. We broke down all 35+ statistics and what they really mean for your bottom line.

North is reopening its CBD vertical for card present and card not present merchants on April 1, 2026. That is good news for ingestible CBD businesses, but high risk labels, rolling reserves, and regulatory uncertainty still drive up processing costs. This article breaks down what North’s move really means for your fees and how to avoid overpaying when you board with a CBD friendly provider.

Your MCC code secretly impacts your processing rates. Learn what merchant category codes are, how to find yours, and why it affects your bottom line.

QuickBooks payment processing charges up to 3.5% per transaction. Learn their hidden interchange-plus option and how to calculate your true effective rate.

Credit card surcharging is legal in 47 states, but the rules vary wildly. California banned line-item surcharges. Colorado caps at 2%. Three states prohibit it entirely. Our 2026 state-by-state guide breaks down exactly what you can and can’t do, plus the disclosure requirements that could cost you $1,000 per violation if you get wrong.