Why Stripe is Required for LaunchPass
LaunchPass uses Stripe as its exclusive payment processor for several compelling reasons:
Security and Trust
PCI Compliance: Stripe handles all payment card security requirements so you don't have to
Fraud Prevention: Advanced machine learning detects and prevents fraudulent transactions
Data Protection: Payment information never touches your servers—Stripe encrypts and stores it securely
Global Trust: Used by millions of businesses worldwide including Amazon, Google, and Shopify
Powerful Features
Multiple Payment Methods: Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more
Global Currency Support: Accept payments in 135+ currencies from customers worldwide
Automated Billing: Handles recurring subscriptions, failed payment retries, and dunning automatically
Instant Payouts: Optional instant payout to your bank account (for eligible businesses)
Seamless Integration
No Coding Required: LaunchPass's integration is completely automated—just click to connect
Automatic Synchronization: Member payments, cancellations, and updates sync automatically
Unified Dashboard: View all payment data in one place (Stripe dashboard)
Comprehensive Reporting: Track revenue, refunds, disputes, and more
Bottom Line: Stripe is the most reliable, secure, and feature-rich payment processor available, and LaunchPass's deep integration makes accepting payments completely automated.
Before You Connect Stripe
Before starting the Stripe connection process, ensure you have:
Required Information
For Individual Accounts:
✓ Valid government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID)
✓ Personal address and date of birth
✓ Social Security Number (US) or Tax ID equivalent for your country
✓ Phone number for verification
✓ Bank account details for receiving payouts
For Business Accounts:
✓ Business legal name and structure (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.)
✓ Business address and phone number
✓ Employer Identification Number (EIN) or business tax ID
✓ Business website or description
✓ Information about beneficial owners (anyone owning 25%+ of business)
✓ Representative's personal information and ID
✓ Business bank account details
Prerequisites Checklist
Before proceeding, confirm:
✓ You have a Premium or Ultra LaunchPass plan (Free plan cannot connect Stripe)
✓ You're 18 years or older (Stripe's minimum age requirement)
✓ Your country is supported by Stripe (available in 45+ countries)
✓ You have access to the email address you'll use for Stripe
✓ You can receive SMS verification codes
✓ Your bank account information is accurate and up-to-date
Important: Creating a Stripe account is completely free. There are no setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden charges. You only pay processing fees on successful transactions (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
Part 1: Creating Your Stripe Account
If you already have a Stripe account, skip to Part 2: Connecting Stripe to LaunchPass. If not, follow these detailed steps:
Step 1: Navigate to Stripe Registration
Option A: Direct Registration (Recommended)
You'll land on Stripe's secure registration page
Option B: Through LaunchPass
Log into your LaunchPass dashboard
Navigate to "Link your bank to get paid" section
Click "Connect with Stripe"
If you don't have an account, click "Sign up" on the Stripe login page
Step 2: Enter Your Email and Create Password
On the Stripe registration page:
Enter your email address (use a business email if you have one)
Create a strong password with:
At least 12 characters
Mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
Numbers and special characters
Avoid common words or personal information
Select your country
This determines your account currency and requirements
Critical: Choose the country where your business is legally registered
Cannot be changed after account creation
Click "Create account"
Pro Tip: Use a dedicated business email rather than a personal email. If you ever need to transfer ownership or add team members, a business email makes this much simpler.
Step 3: Verify Your Email Address
Immediately after registration:
Check your email inbox for a message from Stripe
Click the verification link in the email
Confirm verification by clicking through to your Stripe Dashboard
If you don't receive the email:
Check your spam/junk folder
Ensure you entered the correct email address
Click "Resend verification email" on the Stripe dashboard
Wait 5-10 minutes (emails sometimes delay)
Step 4: Activate Your Stripe Account
Once your email is verified, Stripe will guide you through account activation:
Business Information:
Business name: Your community or business name
Business description: Briefly explain what you sell ("Paid membership access to Discord community for trading education")
Business website: Your offer page URL or website (can use your LaunchPass URL:
launchpass.com/your-community)Business type: Choose individual, sole proprietorship, company, non-profit, etc.
Personal Information (Account Representative):
Full legal name: Exactly as it appears on your ID
Date of birth: Used for identity verification
Address: Current residential address
Phone number: Mobile number that can receive SMS
Social Security Number or Tax ID: Required for tax reporting and compliance
Pro Tip: Have all this information ready before you start. The entire process takes 10-15 minutes if you have everything prepared, but can take much longer if you need to gather documents.
Step 5: Identity Verification
Stripe requires identity verification to prevent fraud and comply with financial regulations:
What You'll Need:
Government-issued photo ID: Passport, driver's license, or national ID card
Address proof (sometimes required): Utility bill, bank statement, or government document dated within last 3 months
Verification Process:
For Individuals:
Upload a clear photo of your ID (front and back if applicable)
Take a selfie for liveness verification (proves you're the ID holder)
Wait 1-24 hours for automated verification
For Businesses:
Provide representative's ID and selfie
Upload business documents (EIN letter, articles of incorporation, etc.)
Provide information about beneficial owners (25%+ ownership)
Wait 1-5 business days for verification
Photo Guidelines:
✓ Take photos in good lighting
✓ Ensure all text is clearly readable
✓ Show all four corners of the document
✓ Avoid glare, shadows, or blurriness
✓ Use JPG or PNG format
✗ Don't crop edges or corners
✗ Don't use scanned photocopies (use originals)
✗ Don't submit expired documents
Important: You can start using Stripe immediately for testing, but must complete verification before receiving payouts. Stripe will hold funds until verification is complete.
Step 6: Add Your Bank Account
This is how you'll receive payouts from your community members:
Navigate to "Balance" → "Payouts" in your Stripe Dashboard (left sidebar)
Click "Add bank account" (appears in upper right corner)
Select your country (should be pre-selected)
Choose account type:
Individual: Personal checking or savings account
Business: Business checking account
Enter bank account details:
Account holder name: Must match exactly with your bank records
Routing number: 9-digit number for your bank (US) or equivalent for your country
Account number: Your checking/savings account number
Confirm and save
Finding Your Bank Details:
US: Check a personal check (routing number bottom left, account number middle)
UK: Account number and sort code from online banking
EU: IBAN from your bank statement
Other countries: Contact your bank for appropriate details
Verification: Stripe will make two small deposits (typically less than $1.00 each) to your bank account within 1-2 business days. You'll need to confirm these amounts in your Stripe dashboard to verify ownership.
Alternative: Some banks support instant verification through Stripe's financial connections feature, eliminating the need for micro-deposits.
Part 2: Connecting Stripe to LaunchPass
Once your Stripe account is created and your email is verified (identity verification can complete later), you're ready to connect it to LaunchPass:
Step 1: Navigate to LaunchPass Dashboard
Log into LaunchPass at launchpass.com
Go to your Admin Dashboard
Look for the "Link your bank to get paid" section or "Connect Stripe" button
Where to Find It:
Main dashboard homepage
Billing section
During offer page creation
Settings menu
Step 2: Initiate Stripe Connection
Click "Connect with Stripe" or "Link Stripe" button
You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure authorization page
If already logged into Stripe: Authorization screen appears immediately
If not logged in: Enter your Stripe email and password first
Step 3: Authorize LaunchPass Access
On the Stripe authorization page, you'll see:
Permissions LaunchPass is requesting:
Create and manage payment links
Access customer and subscription data
Process payments and refunds
Receive webhook notifications for payment events
Manage subscription billing
These permissions allow LaunchPass to:
Automatically create subscriptions when members sign up
Handle recurring billing without manual intervention
Update member access based on payment status
Process refunds if needed
Cancel subscriptions when members leave
To authorize:
Review the permissions carefully
Select the correct Stripe account if you have multiple
Click "Connect" or "Authorize"
Security Note: LaunchPass uses Stripe Connect, a secure OAuth 2.0 protocol. Your payment information never goes through LaunchPass—it's processed directly by Stripe. LaunchPass only receives authorization to manage subscriptions on your behalf.
Step 4: Confirmation and Return to LaunchPass
After authorization:
Stripe confirms the connection with a success message
You're automatically redirected back to LaunchPass
LaunchPass dashboard updates to show Stripe is connected
You'll see a "Connected" status with your Stripe account email
Visual Confirmation:
Green checkmark or "Connected" badge
Your Stripe account email displayed
"Disconnect" or "Manage" option available
Ability to create paid offers unlocked
Step 5: Test the Integration
Before going live, test that everything works:
Testing Checklist:
Create a test offer (if you haven't already)
Use Stripe test mode (toggle in Stripe dashboard)
Complete a test subscription:
Use test card: 4242 4242 4242 4242
Any future expiration date
Any 3-digit CVC
Any ZIP code
Verify test subscriber appears in LaunchPass dashboard
Check test payment appears in Stripe dashboard
Confirm member gets invited to your community
If test succeeds:
Switch Stripe to "Live mode"
Your real offer pages will now accept actual payments
You're ready to start charging members!
Understanding Stripe Payouts
Once you're connected and members start paying, here's how you receive your money:
Payout Schedule
Default Payout Timing:
US: Daily automatic payouts (arriving 2 business days after charge)
UK/EU: Daily automatic payouts (arriving 2-7 business days after charge)
Other countries: Varies by location (typically weekly)
Custom Schedules: You can change payout frequency in Stripe settings:
Daily (default for most countries)
Weekly (every Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
Monthly (1st or 15th of month)
Manual (initiate payouts yourself)
Payout Calculations
What you receive:
Member Payment: $50.00 - Stripe Fee (2.9% + $0.30): -$1.75 - LaunchPass Fee (3.5%): -$1.75 = Net Amount: $46.50
Important: Fees are deducted automatically before payout. The amount that hits your bank account is your net revenue after all processing fees.
Viewing Payout Information
In Stripe Dashboard:
Click "Balance" in left sidebar
See "Pending" balance (not yet paid out)
See "Available" balance (ready to be paid out)
View "Payouts" tab for payout history
Track Your Payouts:
Payout date and time
Amount paid out
Bank account destination
Individual transactions included in payout
Download payout reports (CSV, PDF)
First Payout Delays
New Stripe accounts typically have:
Initial hold period: 7-14 days for first payout
Rolling reserve: Stripe may hold a percentage initially
Purpose: Fraud prevention and risk management
After verification completes:
Normal payout schedule resumes
Holds are released
Future payouts arrive on regular schedule
Pro Tip: Complete identity verification immediately to minimize payout delays. The faster you verify, the faster you receive funds.
Stripe Dashboard Overview
Understanding your Stripe dashboard helps you manage payments effectively:
Key Sections
Home/Dashboard:
Payment volume graphs
Recent transactions
Quick stats (successful charges, refunds, disputes)
Important notifications
Payments:
List of all payment transactions
Filter by status (successful, refunded, disputed)
View individual payment details
Process refunds
Customers:
List of all paying customers
View customer payment history
Manage customer subscriptions
Update customer information
Subscriptions:
Active subscriptions
Subscription analytics
Revenue metrics
Churn rate
Balance:
Current balance (pending + available)
Payout schedule
Payout history
Bank account management
Reports:
Financial summaries
Tax reports
Reconciliation reports
Custom report builder
Important Settings
Account Settings:
Business information
Tax settings (for tax forms)
Statement descriptor (how charges appear on customer statements)
Team & Security:
Add team members
Set permissions
Enable two-factor authentication (highly recommended)
Notifications:
Email notifications for payouts, refunds, disputes
Webhook endpoints for developer integrations
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: "Can't Connect Stripe to LaunchPass"
Possible Causes and Solutions:
1. Stripe account not fully created:
Solution: Complete Stripe registration including email verification
Minimum required: Email verified, password set
2. Multiple browser windows/sessions:
Solution: Close all Stripe windows, log out, clear cache, try again
Use incognito/private browsing mode
3. Browser blocking pop-ups:
Solution: Allow pop-ups for launchpass.com and stripe.com
Disable browser extensions that block cookies
4. Already connected to different Stripe account:
Solution: Disconnect current Stripe account first
Then reconnect with desired account
5. LaunchPass on Free plan:
Solution: Upgrade to Premium plan first
Free plan cannot connect Stripe
Issue: "Stripe Verification Taking Too Long"
Normal verification times:
Automated ID verification: 1-24 hours
Manual review required: 2-5 business days
Complex business verification: Up to 7 business days
Speed up verification:
Submit clear, high-quality ID photos
Ensure all information matches exactly
Respond promptly to Stripe requests
Provide all requested documents at once
If verification exceeds expected time:
Check Stripe dashboard for pending requirements
Look for email from Stripe with additional requests
Contact Stripe support: support.stripe.com
Issue: "Bank Account Verification Failed"
Common causes:
1. Incorrect bank details entered:
Solution: Double-check routing and account numbers
Contact your bank to confirm correct numbers
Remove incorrect account and re-add with correct information
2. Bank name doesn't match:
Solution: Enter account holder name EXACTLY as it appears on your bank account
Include middle initial if bank has it
Match capitalization
3. Micro-deposit amounts entered incorrectly:
Solution: Wait for both deposits to appear (1-2 business days)
Check bank statement for exact amounts (e.g., $0.32 and $0.18)
Enter amounts in Stripe dashboard
You have 3 attempts before needing to re-add account
4. Business account but used personal name:
Solution: Account holder name must match bank records
If it's a business account, use the business name
Issue: "Payouts Not Arriving"
Check these factors:
1. Verification incomplete:
Complete identity verification in Stripe dashboard
Payouts are held until verification finishes
2. Payout timing:
Check your payout schedule (Balance → Payouts)
Account for processing time (2-7 business days)
Weekends and holidays don't count as business days
3. Insufficient balance:
Minimum payout threshold not met (typically $1-5)
Check "Available balance" in Stripe dashboard
4. Bank account issues:
Bank rejected deposit (wrong account number, closed account)
Check Stripe dashboard for failed payout notifications
Update bank account if needed
5. Account holds or restrictions:
Stripe may place holds for high-risk activity
Check Stripe email for notifications
Contact Stripe support to resolve
Issue: "Payment Failed for Member"
Common reasons:
1. Insufficient funds:
Customer's card has insufficient balance
Stripe automatically retries failed payments
2. Card declined:
Bank flagged transaction as suspicious
Customer should contact their bank
3. Expired card:
Payment method needs updating
LaunchPass notifies customer automatically
4. International card restrictions:
Some banks block international charges
Customer should authorize international transactions
LaunchPass handles this automatically:
Sends notification to customer
Attempts retry up to 4 times
Provides customer portal to update payment
Revokes access if payment ultimately fails
Security Best Practices
Protect your Stripe account with these essential security measures:
Account Security
1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Go to Account Settings → Team & Security
Enable 2FA via SMS or authenticator app
Required for all team members with access
2. Use Strong Passwords:
Minimum 16 characters
Mix of letters, numbers, symbols
Unique to Stripe (don't reuse passwords)
Use a password manager
3. Monitor Account Activity:
Review "Recent activity" log regularly
Watch for suspicious login locations
Check for unauthorized team members
Review API key usage
4. Limit Team Access:
Only grant access to people who need it
Use role-based permissions (View-only, Developer, Admin)
Remove access immediately when team members leave
Payment Security
1. Never Share Credentials:
Don't share Stripe login with anyone
Don't share API keys publicly
Don't send sensitive info via email
2. Verify Integration Security:
Ensure LaunchPass connection uses official OAuth
Don't use third-party "helper" tools for Stripe
Only connect Stripe through official LaunchPass dashboard
3. Monitor for Fraud:
Review transactions regularly
Watch for unusual patterns (many failed charges, etc.)
Set up fraud prevention rules in Stripe Radar
4. Handle Disputes Properly:
Respond to disputes within 7 days
Provide evidence (screenshots, member activity logs)
Keep records of all transactions
Advanced Stripe Features
Once you're comfortable with basics, explore these powerful features:
Radar (Fraud Prevention)
Stripe's built-in fraud detection:
Automatically blocks high-risk payments
Machine learning analyzes every transaction
Customizable fraud rules
Reduces chargebacks and disputes
Recommended setup:
Review Radar rules (Radar → Rules)
Enable rules for your risk tolerance
Block payments from high-risk countries if needed
Set velocity limits (max transactions per timeframe)
Tax Management
Stripe can help with tax compliance:
Automatic sales tax calculation (Stripe Tax)
Tax reporting tools
Form 1099-K generation (US)
VAT handling (EU/UK)
Setup:
Navigate to Tax settings
Add your tax ID number
Configure tax collection rules
Download tax reports quarterly/annually
Custom Branding
Make Stripe interactions match your brand:
Statement descriptor: Change how charges appear on customer credit card statements
Email receipts: Customize receipt emails with your logo
Checkout appearance: Match colors to your brand (if using Stripe Checkout directly)
Reporting and Analytics
Leverage Stripe's powerful reporting:
Revenue reports: Track MRR, growth, churn
Balance reports: Reconcile payouts with transactions
Subscription analytics: Understand member behavior
Custom reports: Build reports for specific needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Stripe account for multiple LaunchPass communities?
Yes! One Stripe account can connect to multiple LaunchPass communities. All payments flow into your single Stripe account, and you can track which community each payment came from using LaunchPass's dashboard or Stripe's metadata.
What if I already have a Stripe account from another business?
You can use an existing Stripe account with LaunchPass. However, consider creating a separate Stripe account for your community if:
You want to keep finances completely separate
You have different business structures
You need separate tax reporting
You want different payout schedules
Stripe allows multiple accounts per person/business for legitimate business purposes.
Can I change my connected Stripe account later?
Yes, but with caution:
Disconnect current Stripe account in LaunchPass settings
Connect new Stripe account
Important: Existing member subscriptions remain in the old Stripe account
You'll need to manually migrate active subscriptions to the new account
Consider timing this during low-activity periods
Recommendation: Choose your Stripe account carefully from the start to avoid migration headaches.
How long does Stripe approval take?
Email verification: Instant
Basic account creation: Immediate (can start testing)
Identity verification:
Automated: 1-24 hours (most cases)
Manual review: 2-5 business days
Complex businesses: Up to 7 business days
First payout: 7-14 days after first payment (for new accounts)
Note: You can connect to LaunchPass and create offers while verification is pending, but you won't receive payouts until verification completes.
What countries does Stripe support?
Stripe currently operates in 45+ countries including:
North America: US, Canada, Mexico
Europe: UK, EU countries, Switzerland, Norway
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong
Others: UAE, Brazil, India (expanding)
Check Stripe's country list for your specific country. If your country isn't supported, consider:
Using a business registered in a supported country
Partnering with someone in a supported location
Using alternative platforms (though LaunchPass requires Stripe)
Do I need a business license or LLC to use Stripe?
For most creators: No! You can sign up as an individual (sole proprietor) without a formal business structure. Stripe accepts:
Individuals
Sole proprietorships
LLCs
Corporations
Non-profits
Partnerships
However, consider forming an LLC if:
You expect significant revenue ($50K+/year)
You want liability protection
You prefer cleaner tax separation
You're building a serious business
Consult with an accountant to determine what's best for your situation.
What fees does Stripe charge?
Standard processing fees:
Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30 per successful transaction
International cards: Additional 1.5%
Currency conversion: Additional 1%
These fees are in addition to LaunchPass's fees:
LaunchPass Premium: $29/month + 3.5% transaction fee
LaunchPass Ultra: Custom pricing
Total example: $50 member payment:
Stripe fee: $1.75
LaunchPass fee: $1.75
You receive: $46.50 (93% of gross)
No hidden fees:
No setup fee
No monthly fee from Stripe
No cancellation fee
No refund fees
No statement fees
Can members pay with PayPal or other methods?
LaunchPass only supports Stripe, which means members can use:
All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
Debit cards
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Bank debits (ACH in US, SEPA in EU)
PayPal is not supported. However, Stripe's coverage is extremely broad—over 95% of online users have a payment method Stripe accepts.
What if a member requests a refund?
You can process refunds through Stripe dashboard:
Full refund process:
Go to Payments in Stripe dashboard
Find the payment transaction
Click "Refund"
Confirm amount
Refund processes immediately
Important considerations:
Stripe and LaunchPass fees are not returned on refunds
You can issue full or partial refunds
LaunchPass doesn't automatically revoke member access on refund, unless the subscription is immediately cancelled as well
You should manually remove refunded members from your community
Consider your refund policy (7-day, 30-day, case-by-case, etc.)
How do chargebacks work?
A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a charge with their bank, claiming it was unauthorized or fraudulent.
What happens:
Stripe notifies you of the chargeback
Funds are immediately withdrawn from your balance
You have 7-10 days to respond with evidence
Bank makes final decision (can take 60-90 days)
$15 chargeback fee applies (whether you win or lose)
Protect yourself:
Keep clear terms of service
Document member activity in your community
Respond to all chargebacks promptly
Use Stripe Radar to prevent fraudulent signups
Screenshot member engagement as evidence
What's Next After Connecting Stripe
Congratulations! With Stripe connected, you're ready to start earning revenue from your community.
Immediate Next Steps
1. Complete offer page optimization
Ensure pricing is set correctly
Add compelling descriptions and videos
Test the complete signup flow
2. Set up your community structure
Create welcome channels
Prepare onboarding content
Set up member roles/permissions
Draft welcome messages
Platform-specific setup:
3. Test everything end-to-end
Complete a test subscription
Verify payment appears in Stripe
Confirm member receives invite
Check access permissions work correctly
Test cancellation flow
4. Launch your paid community!
Announce to your audience
Share your LaunchPass offer page URL
Monitor initial signups closely
Provide excellent onboarding experience
Gather feedback and iterate
Ongoing Management
Weekly tasks:
Check Stripe dashboard for new payments
Respond to any failed payment notifications
Review member engagement
Process any refund requests
Monthly tasks:
Review financial reports in Stripe
Track key metrics (MRR, churn, LTV)
Download reports for accounting
Optimize pricing based on data
Plan content calendar
Quarterly tasks:
Reconcile Stripe payouts with bank statements
Download tax reports
Review and update pricing strategy
Analyze member retention
Consider expanding to new tiers
Additional Resources
Getting Help
LaunchPass Support:
Email: [email protected]
24/7 AI Chat with team hours: Available 24/7 in dashboard (Premium/Ultra)
Help Center: help.launchpass.com
Stripe Support:
Support Portal: support.stripe.com
Documentation: docs.stripe.com
24/7 Email Support: [email protected]
Twitter: @StripeSupport
Useful Documentation
LaunchPass Guides:
Stripe Resources:
Conclusion: You're Ready to Get Paid!
Connecting Stripe to LaunchPass unlocks the full potential of your paid community. With secure payment processing, automatic recurring billing, and seamless member management all working together, you can focus on what matters most: creating value for your members.
Remember:
Stripe handles all payment security and compliance
LaunchPass automates member management based on payments
You receive payouts automatically on your schedule
Support is available 24/7 if you encounter issues
The path to recurring revenue:
✓ Created your community platform account
✓ Built your LaunchPass offer page
✓ Selected your LaunchPass plan
✓ Connected Stripe ←