opinion

Revelations - Xbiz Summer Forum & Billing

As the Xbiz Summer Forum wrapped up last week I enjoyed the opportunity to moderate the panel focused on Visa regulations, good business practices, and the card associations’ rules, past, present and future. My panelists included card processing authorities Cathy Beardsley of Segpay/CommerceGate/DHD, Mitch Farber of Netbilling, Steve Bryson of OrbitalPay, Dennis DelaRosa of OnlineIPS.net, and Doug Wickes of CCBill.

Our discussions centered on recent new VISA rule enforcement emphasis, guidance on compliance issues, and understanding the regulations faced by merchants every day. Among others, attendee Daniel Hogue, camworld.com CEO, contributed some incisive questions eliciting detailed answers to specific compliance requirements across programs and sites. The depths of the combined panelists’ knowledge was certainly tested here. This Xbiz offering was not your typical vanilla tradeshow billing seminar.

Topics covered included internal and external cross sale limits and exclusions, affects on merchant account holders versus those using third party processors, differences between Visa and MasterCard on all topics, content guidelines and monitoring, history and significance of the Visa regions, descriptors, scrubbing, intentional and unintentional questionable billing practices, common merchant mistakes, and suspicious activity and freezing of funds. The bottom line was a mostly positive future outlook from a particularly well informed group delivering the real goods without hedging.

A post-Visa adult world was also discussed and the panelists unanimously agreed that VISA will not leave the space, but compliance enforcement, fraud prevention and vigorous monitoring of merchant relationships and activities would all continue to intensify to the benefit of cardholders.

I especially enjoyed the moderation, as Webbilling does not provide merchant accounts or process credit cards and therefore is not affected by card association rules; Webbilling provides a non-card payment platform for Europe to pair with and augment credit card processing for extra revenue from the same traffic. With knowledge of processing but no dog in the show, my questions generated a spirited hour of discussion and great attendee participation. For information and introductions to panelists and information on the Webbilling EU non-card payment solutions, write Marketing@Webbilling.com NOW, and watch for more straightforward relevant panels at future Xbiz events.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Pettus Ashley

Pettus Ashley brings her A game to the world of authentic adult branding, flitting between airports as the American face of U.K. brand Bathmate. As a company brand ambassador, Ashley personifies Bathmate’s dedication to the retail world, showering staff with equal amounts of appreciation and sales education.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Packing Tips: A Must-Have Travel Checklist for Creators

Traveling as a content creator isn’t just about hopping on a plane and hoping for the best. You need to be ready for anything, whether that means an amazing sunset you just have to capture, a last-minute editing session or an impromptu collab.

Megan Stokes ·
profile

Good Relations Fosters Sex Wellness, Positivity for 40+ Years

Melinda Myers, the founder and owner of Good Relations in Eureka, California, was still in college when she got invited to attend her first pleasure products home party.

Quinton Bellamie ·
opinion

Camming as a Couple: How to Balance Love and Livestreaming

Real-life couples who work together in the adult industry face a unique set of challenges that can test relationships in ways that most couples are unlikely to experience. The industry can offer both financial benefits and creative freedom, and working together can strengthen a partnership — but it can also present emotional, social and professional obstacles that must be carefully managed.

opinion

PR Moves: How to Know When It's Time to Hire a Rep

If you’ve achieved a stable career with steady work, but find yourself at an impasse where growth is concerned, it might be time to look into hiring a public relations professional to help you expand your brand and reach.

Hime Marie ·
opinion

Why It's Time for Pleasure Brands to Stop Ignoring B2C Marketing

For many B2B adult brands, marketing to consumers feels like a waste of time. I’ve heard it so many times: “We sell to retailers, not consumers. Why should we invest in B2C marketing?”

Hail Groo ·
profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

The Midlife Movement Is Exploding; Is the Pleasure Industry Ready?

In marketing, there tends to be an emphasis on the younger generation — the trendsetters. The assumption is that appealing to the younger market has a halo effect on older consumers, who look to younger folks for what is on trend.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
Show More