Payoneer, a global leader in cross-border payment solutions, has announced a pivotal policy shift. Starting August 30, 2025, the company will close all inactive receiving accounts. This means accounts that have not received a payment in the last two years will be closed. This measure underscores the platform’s drive toward operational efficiency and data hygiene.
For thousands of users who rely on Payoneer to receive international payments, this is not merely housekeeping. It’s a clear directive: stay active or be deactivated.
Details of the Policy Update
Payoneer defines an inactive receiving account as one that has not received a single incoming payment, whether from a client, company, or marketplace, over a rolling 24-month period. This definition applies solely to receiving accounts, not the entire Payoneer account itself.
The policy will go into effect on August 30, 2025. All qualifying inactive receiving accounts will be automatically closed without further warning. Payoneer began informing affected users via direct emails, account notifications, and help center announcements in July 2025.
This change applies globally and affects all currencies and geographic regions. Whether a user holds a USD, EUR, GBP, or any other receiving account, inactivity across the board leads to the same outcome: closure.
Implications for Users
The most affected demographics are freelancers, digital nomads, affiliate marketers, and small businesses who may have opened accounts during peak earning periods and subsequently lapsed into inactivity. Many users hold multiple receiving accounts, not all of which are actively in use. These dormant sub-accounts are now at risk.
Once a receiving account is closed, any residual balance will be transferred to the user's main Payoneer account, provided the overall account remains in good standing. Historical transaction records will remain accessible for a limited period, after which they may be purged following our privacy policies.
As for reinstatement? Closed receiving accounts cannot be reactivated. Users must request new account credentials through the platform, often requiring compliance and identity verification anew.
What Users Should Do Before August 30, 2025
For users looking to preserve their accounts, the steps are straightforward yet time-sensitive:- Log in to your Payoneer account and navigate to the receiving accounts section.
- Verify activity logs. If a receiving account hasn't seen payment activity since mid-2023, it's likely flagged for closure.
- Receive at least one payment into each receiving account you wish to keep active—this could be from a client, partner, or even a small test transaction.
- Contact Payoneer Support if your account shows discrepancies or if you are unsure about its status.
Reactivation after closure isn’t guaranteed. In most cases, users will need to reapply, which could lead to delays or even rejections depending on usage patterns and compliance checks.
Broader Industry Context and Final Thoughts
Payoneer’s move isn’t happening in isolation. Payment platforms globally are consolidating inactive accounts to reduce risk exposure, simplify audits, and comply with evolving financial regulations. Dormant accounts can pose liabilities both in terms of cybersecurity and financial monitoring.
For users seeking alternatives, platforms like Wise, Revolut Business, and Deel continue to grow in prominence, each with varying policies on inactivity and account maintenance. Still, Payoneer remains a stalwart in the space, especially for those engaged in global marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, or Amazon.
This development should serve as a wake-up call for digital professionals: maintain activity or lose access. In today’s digital economy, account hygiene isn’t just good practice; it’s a necessity.