Fraud prevention high-risk is not only about tools—it’s about controllable processes: routing governance, logs, access roles, and incident-ready operations. When buying or selling an MSB/EMI/PSP with a payment orchestration platform, gateway due diligence must verify what can actually run on day one: ownership of IP, real integrations, configurable routing/cascading rules, reporting, reconciliation, and security boundaries. Where card data is involved, PCI DSS responsibilities and supporting documentation must be clear, current, and accessible.
On the regulatory side, confirm the license/registration status and obligations: for Canadian MSBs, FINTRAC provides registration and registry references that buyers can use as a baseline verification. See: FINTRAC MSB registry.
Look at our Pillar guide to buying or selling an MSB/EMI/PSP with a payment orchestration gateway.
Checklist (use as a deal annex)
A) IP & ownership
- IP assignment / license terms signed
- Source control access + build/deploy ability
- No hidden vendor lock-in clauses
B) Integrations & payment methods coverage
- List of integrated PSPs/APMs + evidence (docs/screens)
- Geo/currency coverage map and constraints
C) Routing and cascading
- Rules engine exists (geo, risk, limits, fallback)
- Change control: who can edit rules and how approval works
D) Logs, reporting, reconciliation
- Transaction lifecycle logs (request/response, status changes)
- Standard reports (approvals/declines, by geo/provider/method)
- Reconciliation workflow and data exports
E) Security controls
- Roles/permissions model
- Secrets management approach
- PCI boundaries documented if applicable (see PCI SSC standards and document library).
F) Regulatory scope fit (deal risk)
- Canada: MSB registration status and obligations reference points (FINTRAC).
- UK: check payment services scope of the authorised EMI or PSP using FCA perimeter guidance (PERG).
- EU: understand authorization expectations for EMI and PSPs under PSD2 / EBA guidelines.
G) Operations & transition
- Monitoring and incident response basics
- Support model and knowledge transfer plan
- Minimum viable documentation pack
Related guides
- How bundling a gateway increases valuation when selling an MSB/EMI/PSP
- Agent-to-orchestrator roadmap: what to verify before buying MSB + gateway
- iGaming at scale: what an orchestration stack must support (routing, cascading, reporting)
