About Obsidian Merchant Group
Your trusted partner for high-risk payment processing solutions
Our Story
We are a team of passionate people whose goal is to improve everyone's life through disruptive products. We build great products to solve your business problems. Our products are designed for small to medium size companies willing to optimize their performance.
Meet Our Team
Erik Preuss
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
With nearly two decades of experience in financial services, payments, and business development, Erik Preuss brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing today’s high-risk merchants. As Co-Founder and CEO of Obsidian Merchant Group, Erik leads a team dedicated to providing reliable, compliant, and custom-tailored payment solutions for businesses often underserved by traditional processors. Prior to launching Obsidian, Erik held leadership roles across the fintech, payments, and lending sectors, where he built extensive expertise in underwriting, risk management, and strategic partnerships. His career has been driven by a single focus: helping business owners access the tools they need to grow — even in the most challenging verticals. At Obsidian Merchant Group, Erik combines this experience with a highly personal approach to client service. Whether navigating complex compliance requirements or securing approvals for high-volume businesses, he and the team pride themselves on speed, transparency, and results. When he’s not working with merchants, Erik is an avid golfer, traveler, and lifelong learner who believes in building relationships, not just transactions.
Steve Birth
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Steve brings over a decade of experience in business intelligence, data infrastructure, and operational strategy to the high-risk payments space. With a career rooted in analytics and big data, he has a track record of building scalable systems, streamlining complex processes, and driving growth through data. Before launching Obsidian Merchant Group, Steve specialized in data and performance strategy for companies in digital marketing, lead generation, and financial services—sectors with high transaction volumes and strict compliance demands. His expertise in GTM analytics, reporting automation, and predictive modeling now powers Obsidian’s mission to deliver reliable solutions to high-risk merchants. Steve is a Penn State graduate with a passion for building clean, efficient systems and a relentless focus on results. At Obsidian, he oversees operations, data architecture, and strategic execution—ensuring that clients get not just a payment partner, but a performance advantage.
What Drives Us
Transparency
No hidden fees, no surprises. We believe in clear, upfront pricing and honest communication about what you can expect from our services.
Stability
We partner with established acquiring banks and payment processors to ensure your business has reliable, long-term payment processing solutions.
Expertise
Our team has decades of combined experience in high-risk payment processing. We understand your industry and the unique challenges you face.
Why Choose Obsidian
Dedicated Account Manager
Every client gets a dedicated account manager who understands your business and is available to help whenever you need support.
Global Acquiring Network
Access to 40+ acquiring banks and payment processors worldwide ensures we can approve businesses others decline.
Compliance-First Approach
We prioritize regulatory compliance and work with you to ensure your payment processing meets all industry standards.
No Predatory Terms
Month-to-month agreements with no long-term contracts, early termination fees, or hidden charges. We earn your business every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Work Together?
Join hundreds of businesses that trust Obsidian Merchant Group for their payment processing needs.