When I look back at my 30+ years in banking and fintech, I can confidently say this: payment gateways are the highways of the digital economy. Without them, businesses can’t move money smoothly, freelancers can’t get paid fairly, and startups can’t scale beyond their borders.
Now, if you’re reading this from Bangladesh, you probably know the pain I’m about to describe. You’ve built a website, offered services to international clients, or maybe even launched an e-commerce store. Everything is ready—except the most crucial part: how do you receive payments from abroad?
That’s when the big question pops up: Is Stripe available in Bangladesh?
This article will answer that question in detail. I’ll share not only the current reality but also the reasons behind it, the alternatives you can use today, and what the future might hold for Stripe in Bangladesh. Along the way, I’ll sprinkle in real-world stories, insights from decades in fintech, and some hard truths about our payment ecosystem.
What is Stripe and Why is it So Popular?
Stripe is one of the world’s most powerful and developer-friendly payment gateways. Founded in 2010, it quickly became the backbone of global online payments.
Why businesses love Stripe:
- Easy integration: Developers can plug Stripe into websites and apps with just a few lines of code.
- Global acceptance: Stripe supports over 135 currencies.
- Scalability: From freelancers to billion-dollar companies like Amazon, Shopify, and Lyft, everyone uses Stripe.
- Modern features: Subscription billing, fraud detection, analytics, and even financing for businesses.
To put it simply, Stripe is like a Swiss Army knife for online payments. It doesn’t just process money; it powers the entire financial engine of modern digital businesses.
So naturally, Bangladeshi freelancers, SaaS founders, and entrepreneurs want it. But here comes the problem.
Is Stripe Available in Bangladesh Today?
The short answer: No, Stripe is not officially available in Bangladesh.
When you go to Stripe’s official website and check the list of supported countries, Bangladesh isn’t on it. You’ll find neighbors like India and even some African nations, but not us.
This is frustrating, especially because Bangladesh has one of the fastest-growing freelance and digital service sectors in the world. We’re ranked among the top freelancing countries globally. So why are we left out?
Why Stripe is Not Officially Available in Bangladesh
Over the years, I’ve observed a few clear reasons:
- Banking Regulations: Bangladesh Bank has strict foreign exchange rules. International companies like Stripe need assurance that money movement will comply with local laws.
- KYC/AML Concerns: Stripe requires robust identity verification and anti-money-laundering frameworks. Bangladesh’s system is improving but still not as seamless as in developed nations.
- High Risk Perception: International gateways often categorize developing economies as high-risk markets due to fraud and chargeback concerns.
- Partnership Challenges: Stripe usually partners with local banks to operate. That infrastructure is still under development here.
In short, it’s not about demand—it’s about compliance and infrastructure.
Comparing Bangladesh With Neighboring Countries
Let’s see where our neighbors stand:
- India: Stripe is fully available. Indian startups, SaaS businesses, and freelancers use it daily.
- Pakistan: Stripe is not officially available either, though there are strong lobbying efforts.
- Nepal & Sri Lanka: Still waiting like Bangladesh.
This regional gap highlights something important: while Bangladesh has the talent and demand, regulatory modernization has lagged.
How the Absence of Stripe Affects Bangladeshi Entrepreneurs
Imagine this: You’re a web developer in Dhaka. A client from New York wants to pay you $1,000. If you had Stripe, it would be as simple as sharing a link or integrating checkout on your site. But without it?
You’re forced into complicated alternatives:
- Asking them to use Payoneer
- Requesting bank wire transfers (with high fees)
- Or depending on friends abroad to set up accounts
This isn’t just inconvenient—it reduces competitiveness. Clients often prefer vendors who accept seamless, trusted payments.
Alternatives to Stripe in Bangladesh
Until Stripe officially arrives, here are your practical options:
1. Payoneer
- Widely used by freelancers.
- Lets you receive money from platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and direct clients.
- You can withdraw to local banks.
2. SSLCOMMERZ
- Bangladesh’s largest local payment gateway.
- Works great for local e-commerce businesses.
- Supports bKash, Rocket, Nagad, cards.
- But not ideal for international payments.
3. bKash & Mobile Wallets
- Dominant in local transactions.
- Fantastic for domestic business but limited for global trade.
4. Wise (TransferWise)
- Good for international money transfer.
- Transparent fees and fast service.
- Not as seamless as Stripe for businesses, but reliable.
5. 2Checkout (now Verifone)
- Available in Bangladesh.
- Supports global payments but with higher fees.
Each alternative has pros and cons, but none match Stripe’s combination of flexibility and trust.
Stripe Atlas: A Workaround for Bangladeshis
Now, here’s something many don’t know: Bangladeshis can use Stripe through Stripe Atlas.
Stripe Atlas is a program where Stripe helps you set up a U.S. company (usually a Delaware C-Corp) and a U.S. bank account. Once you’re legally registered in the U.S., you can get a Stripe account.
Benefits of Stripe Atlas:
- Access to Stripe from Bangladesh.
- Ability to open a U.S. bank account.
- Legal entity for scaling globally.
Drawbacks:
- Expensive (around $500 setup).
- Ongoing compliance (tax filings, U.S. legal obligations).
- Not ideal for freelancers—better suited for startups.
So yes, it’s a possible path, but not an easy one.
Real-World Scenarios
Let me share a story.
A young graphic designer I mentored wanted to sell digital art to customers worldwide. Without Stripe, she struggled. Clients hesitated to send money via bank transfer. Eventually, she opened a Payoneer account, but her fees ate into profits.
Now imagine if she had Stripe checkout embedded on her site—her sales could have doubled. This is the hidden cost of Stripe’s absence: lost opportunities.
Will Stripe Ever Come to Bangladesh?
Now to the million-dollar question: what about the future?
I remain cautiously optimistic. Here’s why:
- Digital Growth: Bangladesh’s digital economy is booming. The government’s “Digital Bangladesh” initiative is showing results.
- Freelancer Power: With millions of freelancers, demand for global payment gateways is undeniable.
- Banking Reforms: Bangladesh Bank is gradually modernizing regulations.
- Regional Expansion: Stripe keeps entering new markets every year. If India has it, Bangladesh is likely on the roadmap.
But let’s be honest—it won’t happen overnight. Stripe will require regulatory clarity, banking partnerships, and proof of a low-risk environment.
Challenges Stripe Might Face in Bangladesh
Even if Stripe arrives, here are the hurdles:
- Currency controls: How to handle USD earnings under local forex laws.
- Fraud prevention: Ensuring secure transactions.
- Merchant education: Many small businesses will need training to use Stripe effectively.
FAQs: Is Stripe Available in Bangladesh?
1. Is Stripe available in Bangladesh?
No, Stripe is not officially available yet.
2. Can I use Stripe in Bangladesh through Atlas?
Yes, if you register a U.S. company via Stripe Atlas.
3. Why isn’t Stripe in Bangladesh?
Due to banking regulations, compliance challenges, and risk perception.
4. What are the alternatives to Stripe in Bangladesh?
Payoneer, SSLCOMMERZ, Wise, 2Checkout, and bKash for local payments.
5. Can Bangladeshi freelancers get paid without Stripe?
Yes, through Payoneer, Upwork/Fiverr payment systems, or bank transfers.
6. When will Stripe come to Bangladesh?
There’s no official timeline, but with fintech growth, it’s likely in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Stripe is not yet available in Bangladesh.
- The absence creates real challenges for freelancers and startups.
- Alternatives exist, but none are as seamless.
- Stripe Atlas offers a workaround for serious entrepreneurs.
- Future prospects are promising as fintech regulations improve.
Conclusion: A Road Ahead for Bangladesh
Payment gateways are the lifeblood of the digital economy. Without Stripe, Bangladesh’s entrepreneurs and freelancers are running with weights tied to their feet. But that doesn’t mean the race is lost.
I’ve seen countries transform their payment landscapes in less than a decade. Once upon a time, PayPal didn’t serve India. Today, it’s an integral part of their ecosystem. The same can happen here.
To my fellow Bangladeshis building digital businesses: don’t lose hope. Explore the alternatives available now. If you’re serious about global scaling, consider Stripe Atlas. And most importantly, keep pushing for a more open, modern financial system.
