Square Cuts Payments for Denton THC Drink Firm Ahead of December Federal Ban

Square, a major U.S. payment processor, notified Wild Revival on November 8 that it intends to end its banking relationship with the company. The decision comes one month before a new federal ban on hemp-derived THC products takes effect on December 11. Michael Williams, co-founder of the Denton-based beverage company, received the email in the afternoon. He stated that Square handles at least 45% of the revenue entering Wild Revival. The processor cited the looming December ban as the reason for the withdrawal. Williams noted that small businesses across the sector now face the immediate task of finding alternative payment methods.

The federal rule sets a strict limit for legal products. Any item containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container will be prohibited. Wild Revival currently sells drinks with concentrations of 10 milligrams, 25 milligrams, and 50 milligrams. Williams questioned the practicality of the new standard, noting it is difficult to imagine a 0.4 milligram product. He said the regulation effectively removes the company's current lineup from the market. The founders believe the new law will force their business to close if it remains in effect.

Wild Revival operates both as a brand owner and a manufacturer. The company produces its own beverages under the Wild Revival and Hi-Res names. Andrew Martin, the other co-founder, explained that the firm invested personal capital into its production facilities. He stated that under the current federal legislation, the company lacks a viable path forward. Martin added that 95% of the company's revenue comes from cannabis-based products. If the ban proceeds, the firm will lose the majority of its income and face a difficult financial position.

State restrictions introduced earlier in 2026 reduced the market for smokable hemp. Producers of THC beverages initially believed they would remain exempt from those state rules. The federal ban now extends the restriction to the entire industry. Williams expressed hope that the rule might be reversed before the December 11 deadline. He pointed to elected officials who took office in November after campaigning on a platform of supporting the industry. Williams argued that many small business owners entered the market in good faith and built their operations over years of work. He suggested these new leaders may support the sector.

The company's production lines in Denton continue to operate while the legal status remains in flux. The payment processor's decision to exit the relationship highlights the financial risks facing firms in the hemp-derived THC space. Square is not the only financial institution adjusting its risk tolerance for the sector. Small businesses that rely on single payment processors are particularly vulnerable to these sudden changes. The December 11 date marks the point where the 0.4 milligram limit becomes a hard legal boundary for all hemp-derived products.