By default, who is set as the merchant of record in Stripe?

In Stripe, the concept of "merchant of record" refers to the entity that is responsible for transactions, including payment processing, customer support, and handling disputes. By default, in a typical Stripe setup especially within a marketplace or platform environment, the platform account is designated as the merchant of record. This means that the platform takes on responsibilities for the transactions processed through it, facilitating payments to the various sellers or service providers using its services.

When a platform account acts as the merchant of record, it allows the platform to manage the full payment flow, including handling compliance, taxes, and customer relations on behalf of the connected accounts. This structure is especially beneficial for platforms as it simplifies the payments experience for users and centralizes merchant responsibilities within the platform, providing a consistent level of service.

In contrast, an individual account for a business or customer would not be set as the merchant of record by default, as this role implies a broader responsibility than simply processing payments on their behalf. Similarly, "your own account" or "merchant account" may refer to various configurations or business setups but do not align with the default role assigned by Stripe in a platform environment where the platform itself is designated as the merchant of record.