A new free checklist from NOWPayments and BlockSec gives businesses a practical framework to prevent the irreversible losses that make crypto payments risky. The Crypto Payment System Security and Technical Compliance Checklist, released on July 27, 2026, spreads 25 specific security controls across nine categories, turning broad security principles into actionable checks that security, operations, compliance, and product teams can work through together.

The checklist addresses a real problem: crypto transactions are final. Unlike traditional online payments, a mistake in key management, transaction approval, or compliance screening cannot be reversed. Merchants, marketplaces, gaming platforms, and Web3 companies that accept crypto need a shared language and a repeatable process to catch gaps before they become incidents.

What Security Areas Does the Checklist Cover?

The 25 controls span nine distinct security and technical compliance domains:

• Private Key and Wallet Security: Controls for managing production funds, separating operating wallets from reserve wallets, and preventing single-person access to critical funds.
• Smart Contract Security: Verification that code has been audited and reviewed before deployment.
• Transaction Verification and Signing: Ensuring transaction-approval systems are isolated from public infrastructure and cannot be bypassed.
• Identity, Accounts, and Operations: Access controls and privilege management across teams.
• DNS and Domain Security: Protection against domain hijacking and phishing attacks targeting payment flows.
• On-Chain Monitoring and Incident Response: Real-time detection of suspicious transfers and privilege changes.
• AML/CFT Technical Compliance: Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing controls built into payment systems.
• Stablecoin Freeze Risk Management: Contingency plans for when stablecoins are frozen or blacklisted.
• Continuous Improvement: Regular audits and updates to controls as threats evolve.

Each item is a control to verify rather than a general recommendation. Teams can mark it as confirmed, add supporting evidence, assign an owner, and record what needs to happen next. This turns a broad security discussion into a working session with clear responsibilities and accountability.

Why Does Crypto Payment Security Require a Different Approach?

The most common mistake is treating a crypto payment like a normal online payment. On-chain transfers are permanent, so weak key management or thin compliance checks can turn one mistake into a permanent loss. Crypto payment risk rarely belongs to one department; engineering manages the infrastructure that approves transactions, compliance screens transactions, and operations leads the response when an alert is triggered.

"The most common mistake is to treat a crypto payment like a normal online payment. On-chain transfers are final, so weak key management, unreviewed transaction approvals, or thin compliance checks can turn one mistake into a permanent loss," said Andy Zhou, co-founder of BlockSec and professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Andy Zhou, Co-founder of BlockSec and Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

The checklist gives these teams one shared record of existing controls, evidence, ownership, and next steps. For merchants, marketplaces, gaming and iGaming operators, SaaS companies, and Web3 platforms, this makes security reviews a repeatable process rather than a one-off exercise.

How Can Businesses Use This Checklist to Strengthen Their Payment Systems?

The checklist is designed for businesses that already accept crypto, are about to launch it, or want a fresh look at an existing payment and payout setup. Teams can use it to identify control gaps, assign ownership, and create a practical list of next steps before those gaps turn into incidents.

• Before Launch: Use the checklist to verify that all nine security categories are covered before accepting the first crypto payment.
• During Vendor Review: Apply the checklist when evaluating a new payment processor, wallet provider, or security vendor to ensure they meet your control requirements.
• Regular Assessment: Run through the checklist quarterly or after any significant change to your payment infrastructure to catch new gaps.
• Incident Response: If a loss occurs, the checklist helps identify which control failed and what needs to be fixed to prevent recurrence.

Real-time visibility is critical for fast incident response. If stolen funds are traced to an exchange or crypto service, the window to act may be short. Businesses should preserve transaction hashes and addresses, trace the fund flow, and contact the exchange through its official security or compliance channel as quickly as possible.

"Real-time visibility is what makes a fast incident response possible. It can be the difference between containing a loss and losing funds to swaps, bridges, or cash-out points," noted Andy Zhou.

Andy Zhou, Co-founder of BlockSec and Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

The checklist is an educational resource, not a certification or a replacement for legal advice. Its principles are designed to remain useful as payment infrastructure and security threats change. Strong controls should help businesses grow their crypto operations without making daily work unnecessarily complex.

For teams managing crypto payments at scale, the checklist offers a practical starting point to move beyond treating security as a one-time box to check. By turning broad security principles into specific, verifiable controls with clear ownership, businesses can reduce the risk of irreversible losses and build confidence in their crypto payment operations.