As ONPASSIVE advances toward complete digital independence, one topic generating major interest is its plan to own its own payment processing system. But what does that really mean—and why is it important?

What Is a Payment Processor?

A payment processor or PSP (Payment Service Provider) is a third-party company that enables businesses to accept electronic payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and other online payment methods. It acts as a secure intermediary between customers and merchants, handling the transfer of funds and enforcing regulations like fraud prevention and anti-money laundering.

When you see “Visa,” “MasterCard,” or “Amex” accepted on a platform, you’re witnessing the credibility of a PSP that has met strict global standards. These companies follow PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance levels, depending on how many transactions they process yearly—from under 20,000 to over 6 million.

Why Does It Matter for ONPASSIVE?

ONPASSIVE is a global company with users and affiliates in over 200 countries. To succeed at scale, it must accept and send payments in multiple currencies and across jurisdictions—including places with embargoes or limited banking infrastructure.

Relying on third-party processors has proven challenging in ONPASSIVE’s journey. As the company launched its first paid product, O-Connect, the volume of transactions exceeded what payment partners expected, triggering fraud alerts and disruptions. Even a second provider, though initially promising, created the same roadblocks due to affiliation with the first.

This experience highlighted the need for ONPASSIVE to take control.

The Case for Going In-House

Mr. Ash Mufareh, ONPASSIVE’s visionary CEO, has consistently emphasized one goal: total control of the ecosystem. From single sign-on integration to proprietary data centers and domain registrars, ONPASSIVE’s vision includes a self-owned payment gateway and processor.

There are several paths ONPASSIVE could take:

1. Build a payment processor from scratch – Time-consuming and expensive, but it would be 100% proprietary.
2. License a white-label payment gateway – A faster solution where ONPASSIVE buys a trusted platform, hosts it on its servers, and operates it under its own name.
3. Acquire a banking license – This bold move would allow ONPASSIVE to operate like a full financial institution, handling both payment acceptance and disbursements globally, even in restricted countries.

Given the company’s innovation hubs and presence in Dubai—known for favorable financial regulations—ONPASSIVE may even combine multiple strategies.

The Power of Monetizing Payment Systems

One compelling benefit of owning a payment platform is monetization. ONPASSIVE could issue branded payment cards linked to O-Wallet, letting users load funds and transact globally—much like popular services such as Revolut or Monzo.

Every swipe, every transfer, every transaction would generate micro-commissions. For affiliates, that means residual income every time a referred user spends. Whether it’s ten cents from a $20 purchase or more from frequent international travelers, the opportunity to earn from global card usage is real—and massive.

What’s Next?

While the transition to a fully integrated payment system is complex, ONPASSIVE is moving closer to its goal. Once launched, this system will enable seamless payouts to users in their local currencies, even in embargoed regions—unlocking true global inclusion.

The company may implement a phased rollout, starting with a white-label solution while pursuing full banking or licensing capabilities behind the scenes. Either way, ONPASSIVE’s direction is clear: control, sustainability, and empowerment.

Final Thought: Patience With Purpose

ONPASSIVE’s commitment to doing things the right way—not the fast way—reflects its mission of long-term value. The journey may include hurdles, but every challenge has strengthened the foundation.

For those watching, waiting, or worrying—remember, when ONPASSIVE flips the switch on its global payment system, it won’t just process transactions. It will reshape how digital business operates worldwide.