At Teya, we’re here to empower small businesses—giving them the tools to grow, compete, and succeed. We believe financial services should be accessible, and we work hard to make that a reality.
However, as a regulated provider, we must also follow strict policies and compliance rules that protect our platform, our customers, and the wider financial system.
Some business types carry higher financial or legal risks. To keep Teya secure and trustworthy, certain industries can’t be supported on our platform.
We know these restrictions can be frustrating, so we aim to be transparent about why they exist and how they protect all users.
Many restrictions come from our banking and payment partners, who follow their own regulatory requirements. We work closely with them to review and adjust policies as the market evolves—but we must comply with current rules to keep services safe and reliable.
Prohibited Business Activities
The following businesses are prohibited from using Teya's services:
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Money Transfer Services |
Note: Corner shops offering money transfer as a secondary service are allowed, subject to enhanced monitoring. |
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Digital Goods |
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Pawn Shops and Salvage Yards |
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Firearms |
Note: Sales of firearms are strictly prohibited. Only on-site rental of guns and sale of ammunition for shooting range use is permitted. Any business allowing customers to purchase firearms or remove them from the premises must be blocked. Additionally, the sale of ammunition for use outside the premises is also blocked. Onboarding is subject to the businesses holding a valid licence to offer on-premise shooting services and provide ammunition for said services. |
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Direct Marketing |
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Cash Disbursement and Quasi-Cash Businesses |
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Gambling Transactions |
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Political and Religious Organisations |
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Auction Houses and Real Estate Services |
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Dating Services |
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Sale of Used Motor Vehicles |
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Restricted Business Activities
The following businesses require additional due diligence before Teya can fully provide services. Approval is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and Teya reserves the right to revoke or modify access based on evolving risk factors.
Restricted Business Categories and Requirements
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Clubs |
Verification is required to confirm that no adult entertainment or prostitution is involved. |
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Massage Parlours |
Proof of licensing or other evidence of legitimacy is mandatory. |
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Jewellery and High-Value Goods |
May require additional documentation, including evidence of trading for at least three years, invoices related to previous sales, or acquirer statements covering at least three months. |
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Charities |
Proof of registration and verification with local authorities is required. Financial statements covering the last three years may also be requested. Note: Entities structured as trusts are strictly prohibited and cannot be served under any circumstances. |
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Motor Servicing and Auto Garages |
Documentation confirming the legitimacy of the business is required. |
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Travel Agencies |
Verification of valid travel licenses is mandatory. |
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Shooting Ranges |
Onboarding is subject to the businesses holding a valid licence to offer on-premise shooting services and provide ammunition for said services. |
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Craftsman/Contractor |
Evidence of service contracts or agreements may be requested to verify business legitimacy. Contractors in the UK can only be accepted if their trading address and store verification proof are for a commercial addresses (workshop/showroom/office space); UK merchant’s trading from a home address are blocked. |
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Real Estate Services |
Additional documentation may be requested to verify business legitimacy. This may include property deeds, purchase contracts, or acquirer statements. |
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Art Dealers and Galleries |
May require additional documentation, including evidence of trading history or acquirer statements covering at least three months. |
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Car Sales |
May require additional documentation verifying the origin of vehicles and legitimate transaction records. Sale of used cars is prohibited. |
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Online Education |
Proof of licensing or other evidence of legitimacy is mandatory. |
High-Risk Jurisdictions and Individuals
Teya prohibits the use of its services for any dealings, engagement, or sale of goods or services either directly or indirectly with the following:
- High-risk jurisdictions – Individuals located in, resident in, or born in jurisdictions identified by Teya as high-risk. Products or services originating from these jurisdictions.
- High-risk individuals – Individuals identified by Teya as prohibited for legal, contractual, or commercial reasons, including those listed on restricted person or party lists maintained by the United Kingdom, European Union, United Nations, or the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
- This list is subject to periodic review and may change based on evolving regulations.
- If you are unsure about your business’s eligibility, please contact our support team for further guidance.
At Teya, we know that technology, regulations, and business needs are always evolving. As things change, so will the types of businesses we’re able to support. We’re committed to listening to feedback and working with our financial partners and regulators to expand our services to new and innovative businesses. Our approach will continue to grow and adapt—so we can support small businesses while keeping our platform safe and secure.