How Payments Work at Sigma

At a glance

• US customers: Pay with your normal bank or card using either eDebit Bank Transfer (via Plaid) or Credit/Debit Card via CoverWell’s Cosmedicard (a protected gift-card style system).
• Puerto Rico customers: Pay with your normal card or bank through licensed ramps such as MoonPay and Transak that handle the crypto side in the background.
• No card data is stored by Sigma: all card details are handled by our licensed payment partners.

Paying from the US

Because banks consider this niche “high risk”, running traditional card processing directly on the store is unstable and often leads to random declines. To keep things smooth and protect both sides, we offer two main options for US customers:

1. eDebit Bank Transfer (via Plaid)

This is the most direct and stable method — you pay straight from your bank using a secure Plaid connection.

1. Select eDebit Bank Transfer (via Plaid) at checkout.
2. Click “Place order” and you’ll be redirected to a secure portal.
3. Connect your bank via Plaid and authorize the payment.
4. Your order is confirmed as soon as the transfer is approved.

This option often includes an extra discount and is highly reliable for repeat orders.

2. Credit / Debit Card via CoverWell’s Cosmedicard

If you prefer to pay with a credit or debit card, we use CoverWell’s Cosmedicard, a gift-card style system that loads protected credits for your purchase.

1. At checkout, choose “Credit / Debit Card” (Cosmedicard).
2. After clicking “Place order”, you’ll be redirected to CoverWell’s secure Cosmedicard checkout.
3. You purchase credits (typically $1 = 1 credit) on the Cosmedicard using your card.
4. Your Sigma order is processed using those credits, and CoverWell’s warranty protects against eligible issues related to your purchase.
5. You receive your usual Sigma order confirmation once everything is approved.

This setup exists so you can still use your card in a way that is more resilient to bank risk rules and includes built-in purchase protection from CoverWell.

Paying from Puerto Rico

Many traditional card processors block our category entirely for Puerto Rico, even when everything is clearly labeled for research use only. To keep access open, we work with licensed payment ramps such as MoonPay and Transak. They allow you to pay with your usual card or bank while they handle the crypto side in the background.

General flow:

1. Select your products and proceed to checkout.
2. Choose one of the card-based ramps (e.g. Credit/Debit Card with MoonPay or Credit/Debit Card with Transak).
3. Click “Place order” to open the secure payment portal.
4. Pay with your card or bank. On your first purchase, the provider may ask for a quick identity check (KYC) and 3-D Secure verification.
5. Once payment is complete, your order is confirmed automatically on Sigma. You do not need to manage or hold crypto yourself.

This method is optimized for Puerto Rico to give you a fast, compliant, card-based checkout, even when traditional processors refuse this category.

MoonPay (recommended ramp)

MoonPay provides a secure, card-based checkout with automatic USDC delivery in the background. In practice, you:

1. Click “Place order” to open the payment portal.
2. Select MoonPay as your provider.
3. Pay with your card.
4. Your order is confirmed automatically once MoonPay settles the payment.

Transak

Transak offers fast, secure checkout with Visa/Mastercard and digital wallets (Apple Pay / Google Pay). First-time payments may require a brief ID/KYC check and 3-D Secure; repeat purchases are typically faster.

Security & privacy

• No card details are stored by Sigma. All sensitive payment data is processed by our payment partners on their secure, PCI-compliant infrastructure.
• We only receive confirmation of payment (success or failure) and the amount — not your full card number.
• KYC for Puerto Rico is handled entirely by the payment ramp and is required by financial regulations for their service.
• Your Sigma account only stores what we need to fulfill your order (contact info, shipping address, order history).

Frequently asked questions

Why don’t you just take normal cards at checkout?

Many banks and card processors classify our category as “high risk”, even when everything is clearly labeled for research use only. That leads to unstable processing, surprise shutdowns, and random declines. Using eDebit bank transfer, CoverWell’s Cosmedicard system, and licensed payment ramps gives us a more stable and predictable setup so your orders go through.

Is this more expensive for me?

No. Our prices already take payment costs into account. You pay the amount you see at checkout; we absorb the complexity of the backend payment setup.

Do I need to know anything about crypto?

No. For Puerto Rico, MoonPay and Transak handle the crypto layer in the background. You simply pay with your card or bank, and they do the rest.

Is KYC mandatory for Puerto Rico orders?

Usually yes, on your first payment through the ramp. This is a one-time verification required by financial regulations so that the provider can legally process payments in this category. Once you’re verified, repeat orders are typically much faster.

What if I still have trouble paying?

If something fails or looks confusing, contact our support with a screenshot of the error (without showing your full card number). We can usually see what went wrong and suggest the fastest alternative.

Our goal is simple: make it as easy and predictable as possible for serious researchers in the US and Puerto Rico to place and receive their orders, despite restrictions from banks and processors.