An international merchant account allows online and offline businesses to accept payments in currencies set by the account issuer all around the world. It is ideal for businesses looking to extend their customer base. High-Risk merchant accounts are considered slightly riskier than normal merchant accounts. The reason for this is that the risk of fraud and chargebacks has grown, and as a result, the rates per transaction have risen slightly. If you want to accept payments online, you’ll need a payment gateway in addition to an international merchant account.