# Merchants

Configure and manage merchant accounts based on your chosen operating model. 
The merchant management capabilities adapt to support all four Hellgate Commerce operating models.

{% tabs %}
  {% tab label="Primary Merchant" %}
    The default model for single businesses. Your account operates as a standalone merchant processing its own transactions.

    - Single merchant configuration locked to your primary account
    - Cannot add sub-merchants (`POST /merchants` disabled)
    - Cannot delete the primary merchant (`DELETE /merchants/{id}` disabled)
    - Full access to all payment features for your own transactions
  {% /tab %}
  {% tab label="Platform / Marketplace" %}
    Enable multiple sellers or service providers to process payments through your platform.

    - Add and manage multiple sub-merchants
    - Configure individual processing rules per merchant
    - Track transactions by merchant for split payments
    - Implement marketplace payment flows
    
    {% admonition type="info" %}
      Platform model requires activation by your account manager.
    {% /admonition %}
  {% /tab %}
  {% tab label="Ecosystem" %}
    Grant controlled payment capabilities to third parties within your business ecosystem.

    - Onboard ecosystem partners as sub-merchants
    - Set transaction limits and permissions per partner
    - Maintain oversight of all ecosystem transactions
    - Common in mobility, delivery, and service networks
    
    {% admonition type="info" %}
      Ecosystem model requires validation of your use case by your account manager.
    {% /admonition %}
  {% /tab %}
  {% tab label="Managed Ecosystem" %}
    Full payment facilitation with comprehensive merchant management capabilities.

    - Advanced sub-merchant onboarding and underwriting
    - Risk management and compliance tools
    - Detailed merchant monitoring and reporting
    - Support for complex multi-party payment flows
    
    {% admonition type="warning" %}
      Managed Ecosystem requires special licensing and compliance review.
    {% /admonition %}
  {% /tab %}
{% /tabs %}