Arizona Firm MiCamp Claims Visa Stifles Cryptocurrency and Other Payment Alternatives in Antitrust Lawsuit
On Monday, April 14, 2025, MiCamp Solutions LLC, an Arizona-based company, filed a second amended complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of California against Visa Inc. alleging antitrust violations. MiCamp claims that Visa has engaged in unlawful monopolistic practices that harm competition and inflate costs in the card payment processing services market.
The complaint highlights that MiCamp, which operates as a purchaser of Visa’s card payment processing services, seeks injunctive relief and damages related to Visa’s alleged anticompetitive conduct. MiCamp argues that Visa has maintained significant control over the market, resulting in inflated transaction fees and restrictions on payment options for merchants.
The legal action outlines a history of Visa’s practices dating back to the company’s inception in the late 1950s. MiCamp accuses Visa of implementing restrictive rules that prevent merchants from offering alternative payment methods, including cash, automated clearing house (ACH) transactions, and cryptocurrency. According to MiCamp, these rules not only suppress competition but also impose non-compliance assessment penalties on businesses that fail to adhere to Visa’s requirements.
MiCamp asserts that Visa’s practices have led to substantial financial harm, claiming that the company has overcharged its clients by hundreds of millions of dollars through excessive processing fees and penalties. The complaint details how Visa’s rules have historically prohibited merchants from steering customers toward cheaper payment options, thereby limiting consumer choice.
The filing also references previous antitrust actions against Visa, noting that the Department of Justice successfully challenged Visa’s anti-steering rules in 2001. Despite this, MiCamp alleges that Visa has continued to find ways to maintain its monopoly, including imposing strict terms that prevent merchants from offering cash discounts or surcharges that could lower transaction costs.
MiCamp’s legal team argues that Visa’s actions violate Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits monopolization and attempts to monopolize any part of trade or commerce. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as treble damages and attorney fees.
The case reflects ongoing tensions in the payment processing industry, particularly as digital currencies like cryptocurrency gain traction. MiCamp’s complaint highlights how Visa’s control over payment processing options could stifle the adoption of alternative payment methods, which may offer more competitive pricing and greater flexibility for consumers and merchants alike.
As part of their legal strategy, MiCamp aims to compel Visa to disclose the true costs associated with its card processing services and to comply with state laws regarding surcharging and cash discounting. The company seeks to ensure that Visa’s practices do not impede competition or limit consumer access to diverse payment options.
The complaint is part of a broader effort by MiCamp to address what it perceives as systemic issues within the payment processing landscape, which it claims has been skewed in favor of Visa’s dominance. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of payment processing and the competitive landscape, especially as alternative payment methods continue to evolve.
Please contact BlockTribune for access to a copy of this filing.
