Last Updated: August 18, 2026

 

Deffio, which consists of Betelgeuse Corporation Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 14716123), and any of its current or future parent entities, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, or assigns, is committed to upholding the highest standards of compliance, safety, and integrity across our financial ecosystem. This Deffio Prohibitions List outlines the categories of business activities, spending behaviors, and geographic locations that are either limited or prohibited when using Deffio’s services. The Deffio Prohibitions List applies to all partners, platforms, and end users (e.g., cardholders and virtual account users) who interact with Deffio’s products and systems.

 

I. Cardholder Prohibitions

A. Deffio cards cannot be issued to cardholders residing or registered in the following countries:

1. Belarus

2. China (Mainland)

3. Cuba

4. India

5. Iran

6. Iraq

7. Israel

8. Myanmar

9. Nepal

10. Nicaragua

11. North Korea

12. Russia

13. Syria

14. Turkey

15. Ukraine

16. Venezuela

17. Vietnam

Deffio does not support onboarding or card use in jurisdictions that present heightened legal, regulatory, or sanctions risks. Cardholders in countries listed on international watchlists (e.g., FATF Grey List) require case-by-case review and explicit approval from Deffio’s Compliance leadership.

B. Deffio cards cannot be issued to entities engaged in the following types of businesses under any circumstances:

1. Businesses involved in illegal or highly regulated activities, including but not limited to:

a. Distribution of illegal substances or controlled drugs without proper licensing

b. Human trafficking, prostitution, or escort services

c. Sale of counterfeit or unauthorized goods

d. Pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, or other deceptive practices

e. Production or distribution of illegal digital content (e.g., child exploitation)

2. Political campaign fundraising or donation platforms

C. Deffio cards may be issued to entities with the following business models, subject to enhanced review and approval requirements such as evidence of licensing, regulatory compliance, and strong internal controls:

1. Money Service Businesses (MSBs) and remittance services

2. Cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges

3. Charities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

4. Precious metals dealers

5. Online content or creator platforms (e.g., subscription-based streaming or tipping)

6. Regulated gambling or fantasy sports operations

 

II. Spending Prohibitions

A. Deffio cards cannot be used for spending in the following countries:

1. Cuba

2. Iran

3. North Korea

4. Russia

5. Syria

6. Ukraine

7. Venezuela

Card usage is prohibited in each of the countries listed above, regardless of whether the cardholder is an entity or an individual.

B. Deffio cards cannot be used for any of the following types of purchases:

1. Purchase or trade of digital currencies

2. Drug-related purchases, including marijuana, cannabis, CBD, and black-market items

3. Payments on dark web marketplaces or for hacking/cybercrime services

4. Internet pharmacies that are unlicensed or operate outside regulated jurisdictions

5. Firearms, ammunition, or explosives (Corporate)

6. Hazardous materials and chemicals without proper regulatory clearance

7. Escort services or similar platforms

8. Unlicensed or illegal auction sites

9. Unregulated lending or payday loan services

10. Data brokerage services, especially involving unauthorized personal data

11. Purchase or trade of endangered species or wildlife products

 

III. Virtual Account Prohibitions

A. Deffio virtual accounts under a US program cannot be opened or used by end users residing or registered in the following countries:

1. Afghanistan

2. Belarus

3. Burma

4. Central African Republic

5. China

6. Cuba

7. Democratic Republic of Congo

8. Ethiopia

9. Hong Kong

10. Iran

11. Iraq

12. Kosovo

13. Libya

14. Mali

15. Montenegro

16. Nicaragua

17. North Korea

18. Russia

19. Serbia

20. Somalia

21. South Sudan

22. Sudan

23. Syria

24. Ukraine

25. Venezuela

26. West Bank

B. Deffio virtual accounts under a Mexico program cannot be opened or used by end users residing or registered in the following countries:

1. Afghanistan

2. Belarus

3. Bosnia and Herzegovina

4. Central African Republic

5. China

6. Congo (the Democratic Republic of the)

7. Cuba

8. Ethiopia

9. Hong Kong

10. Iran

11. Iraq

12. Lebanon

13. Libya

14. Mali

15. Montenegro

16. Myanmar

17. Nicaragua

18. Niger

19. North Korea

20. Russia

21. Russian Federation

22. Serbia

23. Somalia

24. South Sudan

25. Sudan

26. Syria

27. Tunisia

28. Ukraine

29. United Kingdom

30. Venezuela

31. Yemen

32. Zimbabwe

Deffio does not support virtual account access in jurisdictions that present heightened legal, regulatory, or sanctions risks. End users in countries listed on international watchlists (e.g., FATF Grey List) require case-by-case review and explicit approval from Deffio’s Compliance leadership.

C. Deffio virtual accounts cannot be opened for or by end users or by entities engaged in the following types of businesses under any circumstances:

1. Abortion-related

2. Adult content/services & classifieds

3. ATM operators

4. Bankruptcy services

5. Coin / stamp / precious metals / gemstones

6. Counterfeit materials

7. Counterfeit goods/IP infringement (including hacker groups or theft)

8. Court ordered payments

9. Credit repair

10. Cyberlocking services

11. Darknet markets

12. Debt-related services

13. Direct marketing

14. Downloading / streaming / distributing illegal or protected digital content

15. Drug paraphernalia

16. Drugs / pharmaceuticals / controlled substances and related paraphernalia

17. Endangered / protected animals and wildlife

18. Escort / mail-order brides

19. Espionage equipment and signal jammers / blockers

20. Fireworks/explosives

21. Foreign governments and state-owned enterprises

22. Gambling/Betting (unlicensed)

23. Hate groups or material promoting violence/hatred

24. Human remains / body parts

25. Human trafficking

26. Illegal activities

27. Illegal gambling

28. Illegal/controlled substance vendors

29. Intellectual property

30. Materials / activities that promote intolerance, violence, or hate

31. Marijuana/CBD

32. Missions, embassies, and consulates

33. Multilevel marketing / pyramid / Ponzi schemes

34. Multilevel marketing, predatory lending/investment schemes

35. Nested banking / nested payment processing

36. Offshore banks and shell companies with no physical presence or purpose

37. Online auction services and pawn shops

38. Pay-day lenders

39. Poisonous and hazardous materials

40. Political action groups

41. Prior and current involvement with Bearer Shares

42. Pseudo-pharmaceuticals

43. Ransomware

44. SARMS/Peptides

45. Shell banks and financial institutions

46. Terrorism support

47. Unlicensed MSBs

48. Unlicensed providers of licensed activities, including illegal crypto sales

49. Weapons/arms dealers

50. Weapons vendors/manufacturers

51. Other

52. Layaway systems and annuities

53. Miracle cures, unsubstantiated remedies, or other items marketed as quick health fixes, designer supplements, nutraceuticals, muscle mass proteins, weight gain or loss supplements

54. Sale of email or direct marketing lists enabling unsolicited contacts, such as from telemarketing merchants (inbound or outbound)

55. Sale of manuals, how-to guides, or equipment to disable, “hack”, or modify access controls on software, servers, phones, or websites, including but not limited to mod-chips, drive chips, or access cards

56. Items or sites that encourage or promote hate, violence, or racial intolerance

57. Psychic services