> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.velafi.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activate a Merchant Account

> Activate fiat currency payment channels for a merchant to enable local bank deposits and withdrawals across MXN, ARS, BRL, COP, PEN, USD, and EUR.

Activating a merchant's fiat payment account opens the door to local banking channels in supported countries. Once activated, the merchant receives a dedicated virtual account — for example, a CVU/CUIT number for Argentina — and can immediately begin sending and receiving funds via wire transfer or local payment rails. VelaFi automatically reconciles incoming deposits and credits them to the merchant's account balance.

Both individual and business account types are supported, so you can activate accounts for end-users and corporate clients within the same integration.

## Supported Currencies

| Currency | Country | Example Payment Methods |
| - | - | - |
| `MXN` | Mexico | SPEI via Finco Pay, SPEI via Tesored |
| `ARS` | Argentina | CBU/CVU (Momentum), 3.0 Transfer (QR) |
| `BRL` | Brazil | Pix (Genial), Pix - Woovi (Avenia) |
| `COP` | Colombia | PSE, ACH, Bre-B |
| `PEN` | Peru | Bank Transfer |
| `USD` | USA / Global | ACH, Wire, SEPA (Lead Bank); Wire, SEPA, FEDWIRE (CPN) |
| `EUR` | Europe | SEPA (Lead Bank), SEPA (CPN) |

> [!NOTE]
>
> Activating a `EUR` account via Lead Bank also enables `USD` transactions through the same account.

***

## Endpoint

Both individual and business activations use the same endpoint:

```
POST https://api.velafi.com/v2/merchant/accounts
```

**Headers**

```http theme={null}
X-BH-TOKEN: <your-token>
Content-Type: application/json
```

***

## Activate for an Individual Merchant

Use this path when the `merchantType` of the merchant is `INDIVIDUAL`.

### Core Request Parameters

**merchantId** `string` *required*

The Merchant ID returned when you created the merchant.

**fiat** `string` *required*

The fiat currency to activate. Accepted values: `MXN`, `ARS`, `BRL`, `COP`, `PEN`, `USD`, `EUR`.

**trench** `string` *required*

The payment channel (provider) to use for this currency. The available trench values depend on the selected `fiat`. See the examples below for the full list.

**fieldList** `object`

Additional channel-specific fields required by the selected trench. Required fields vary by currency and provider — see the examples below.

**callbackUri** `string`

Optional. For USD/EUR accounts via Lead Bank, the URL the user is redirected to after accepting the account agreement. If you omit it, a VelaFi default redirect URL is used.

### Example Requests (Individual)

> [accordion] Mexico MXN — SPEI (Finco Pay)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "MXN",
>   "trench": "CLABE - FINCO PAY",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "alias": "my_alias"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Mexico MXN — SPEI (Tesored)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "MXN",
>   "trench": "CLABE - TESORED",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "alias": "my_alias"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Argentina ARS — CBU/CVU (Momentum)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "ARS",
>   "trench": "CVU - Momentum",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "email": "user@example.com",
>     "cuit": "30000000001",
>     "name": "EXAMPLE COMPANY SA",
>     "alias": "my.alias"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Argentina ARS — 3.0 Transfer (QR)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "ARS",
>   "trench": "QR Argentina",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "cuit": "123456789"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Brazil BRL — Pix (Genial)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "BRL",
>   "trench": "BANCO GENIAL"
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Colombia COP — PSE/ACH/Bre-B
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "COP",
>   "trench": "COP Account",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "alias": "my.alias"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Peru PEN — Bank Transfer
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "PEN",
>   "trench": "PEN Account",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "customerIdentificationType": "00",
>     "customerIdentification": "12345678",
>     "customerName": "Tom",
>     "lastName": "Garcia",
>     "customerEmail": "tom@example.com",
>     "customerPhone": "975728895"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] EUR/USD — Lead Bank
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "EUR",
>   "trench": "Lead Bank",
>   "callbackUri": "https://yourapp.com/account/verified",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "email": "user@example.com",
>     "firstName": "Maria",
>     "lastName": "Lopez"
>   }
> }
> ```

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Brazil BRL — Pix (Woovi) for individuals:** first call [Get Woovi Liveness URL](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/get-woovi-liveness-url.md) and have the merchant complete the liveness check. Then call this endpoint with `trench: "Pix - Woovi"` and a `personalInfo` object (see [Activate Individual](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/activate-merchant-account-for-individual.md)). If the liveness check is not complete, the request fails with error code `-5059`.

***

## Activate for a Business Merchant

Use this path when the `merchantType` of the merchant is `BUSINESS`. The endpoint and core parameters are identical; the `fieldList` structure differs for channels that require detailed company and UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) information. If your account does not use Reliance Mode, activating `CLABE - FINCO PAY`, `CLABE - TESORED`, `CVU - Momentum`, `QR Argentina`, `COP Account`, `BANCO GENIAL` or `PEN Account` for a business merchant returns `status: 0` and a `verifyLink` for an additional business verification instead of opening the channel directly. See [Activate Business](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/activate-merchant-account-for-business.md).

### Example Requests (Business)

> [accordion] Mexico MXN — SPEI (Finco Pay)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "MXN",
>   "trench": "CLABE - FINCO PAY"
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Argentina ARS — CBU/CVU (Momentum)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "ARS",
>   "trench": "CVU - Momentum"
> }
> ```

> [accordion] Brazil BRL — Pix (Woovi) — Full Business Example
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "BRL",
>   "trench": "Pix - Woovi",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "companyInfo": {
>       "companyName": "EXEMPLO TECNOLOGIA LTDA.",
>       "companyDescription": "Fintech payments provider",
>       "countryStateOfIncorporation": "BR-SP",
>       "website": "example.com.br",
>       "socialMedia": "@example",
>       "street1": "Avenida Paulista, 1000",
>       "city": "São Paulo",
>       "countryStateCode": "BR-SP",
>       "postcode": "01310-100",
>       "reasonForAccountOpening": "ecommerce_retail_payments",
>       "sourceOfFunds": "sales_of_goods_and_services",
>       "numberOfEmployees": "11-50",
>       "estimatedAnnualRevenueUsd": "1m_to_10m",
>       "estimatedMonthlyVolumeUsd": 50000,
>       "companyRegistrationNumber": "00000000000001",
>       "taxIdentificationNumberTin": "00000000000002",
>       "taxIdentificationDocumentUrl": "100001/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000002.pdf",
>               "certificateOfIncorporationDocumentUrl": "100001/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000003.pdf"
>     },
>     "companyUbosInfo": [
>       {
>         "personType": "CEO",
>         "firstName": "Ana",
>         "lastName": "Souza",
>         "email": "ana@example.com",
>         "phone": "+5511999999999",
>         "percentageOfOwnership": 1,
>         "nationality": "BR",
>         "taxIdentificationNumber": "000000000000000000",
>         "dateOfBirth": "1985-03-22",
>         "street1": "Rua das Flores, 42",
>         "city": "São Paulo",
>         "countryStateCode": "BR-SP",
>         "postcode": "01310-100",
>         "idType": "3",
>         "govIdCountryAbbr": "BR",
>         "govIdFrontUrl": "100001/00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001.jpg"
>       }
>     ]
>   }
> }
> ```

> [accordion] EUR/USD — Lead Bank (Business)
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "merchantId": "100001",
>   "fiat": "EUR",
>   "trench": "Lead Bank",
>   "callbackUri": "https://yourapp.com/account/verified",
>   "fieldList": {
>     "email": "finance@acme.com",
>     "companyName": "Acme Payments Ltd"
>   }
> }
> ```

***

## Response

### Response Fields

**code** `number`

Response code. `200` indicates the request was accepted.

**msg** `string`

Human-readable result message, e.g. `SUCCESS`.

**data** `object`

**data fields**

**fiat** `string`

The currency that was activated.

**status** `number`

Channel status: `0` = initialized (with a `verifyLink`, additional business verification is required), `1` = pending, `2` = active, `3` = failed (see `failReason`), `4` = incomplete (for example, Lead Bank accounts that still need the steps at `verifyLink`). Poll [List Merchant Accounts](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/get-a-list-of-merchant-accounts.md) until `status` is `2`.

**verifyLink** `string`

A link the merchant must open to continue activation. For USD/EUR Lead Bank accounts it leads to the account agreement; for business merchants that need additional business verification it is returned with `status: 0`.

**failReason** `string`

Description of any failure. Empty on success.

> [tab] MXN / ARS / COP / BRL / PEN
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "code": 200,
>   "msg": "SUCCESS",
>   "data": {
>     "fiat": "MXN",
>     "status": 1,
>     "failReason": ""
>   }
> }
> ```

> [tab] USD / EUR
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "code": 200,
>   "msg": "SUCCESS",
>   "data": {
>     "fiat": "USD",
>     "status": 4,
>     "verifyLink": "https://www.velafi.com/business/channel/verify?token=12ceff08f9621808b5a573972cdfb10f",
>     "failReason": ""
>   }
> }
> ```

***

## How Funds Are Reconciled

Once a merchant's account is active, they receive dedicated banking details — such as a CLABE number for Mexico or a CVU/CUIT for Argentina. The merchant can instruct their payers to send wire transfers to these details. VelaFi automatically detects and reconciles incoming transfers against the merchant's balance, crediting the account without any manual intervention required on your end.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Some currencies and trench configurations require additional documentation (for example, identity documents for Brazil Pix - Woovi, or company incorporation certificates for business accounts). Contact [contact@velafi.com](mailto:contact@velafi.com) for the full list of document requirements per country and account type before you begin activation.


## Related topics

- [Merchants](https://docs.velafi.com/docs/merchants.md)
- [Changelog](https://docs.velafi.com/docs/changelog.md)
- [Activate a Business Merchant Account](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/activate-merchant-account-for-business.md)
- [Activate an Individual Merchant Account](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/activate-merchant-account-for-individual.md)
- [List Merchant Accounts](https://docs.velafi.com/api-reference/merchant/get-a-list-of-merchant-accounts.md)


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