You incorporated a US LLC through Stripe Atlas or a registered agent in Wyoming. Now you need a business bank account, and you are sitting in a cafe in Lisbon wondering which neobank will actually let you open one without stepping foot in America.
Three fintech platforms serve this exact scenario: Mercury, Relay, and Brex. Each targets startups and small businesses, but their approach to non-resident founders and international access differs significantly. The digital nomad community has tested all three extensively, and the experiences reveal important distinctions that marketing pages do not surface.
Mercury: The Nomad Favorite
Mercury has become the default recommendation in remote work communities for non-resident US LLC banking. The platform explicitly serves companies founded by people living outside the United States, and their onboarding process reflects this.
Opening a Mercury account requires a US-registered business entity (LLC, C-Corp, or S-Corp), an EIN from the IRS, and standard KYC documentation. Critically, Mercury does not require a US address for the account holder personally. Your LLC needs a US registered agent address, but you can manage the account from anywhere with an internet connection.
The interface is clean and functional. You get a checking account, savings accounts earning competitive interest, debit cards that work internationally, and domestic wire and ACH capabilities. International wires are supported but cost $20 each. Integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero works seamlessly.
Mercury checking accounts are held at Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust, both FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. The Mercury Treasury product sweeps larger balances across multiple partner banks to extend FDIC coverage up to $5 million.
The main limitation for nomads: Mercury does not offer multi-currency accounts. Everything operates in USD. If you receive payments in euros or pounds, you will need a separate service like Wise Business for currency conversion before depositing into Mercury. This two-platform approach adds a step but keeps costs lower than banks that charge hefty FX margins.
Mercury has no monthly fees for their standard tier. Their IO tier (for companies with $250,000+ in deposits or VC funding) adds features like higher wire limits and dedicated support.
Relay: The Operations-Focused Option
Relay positions itself as banking built for small business operations, with features specifically designed for managing multiple expense categories, team spending, and profit-first accounting methods.
The standout feature is the ability to create up to 20 individual checking accounts under one business, each with its own account number. This is genuinely useful for nomads who want to separate operating expenses, tax reserves, profit, and different revenue streams without the complexity of separate bank accounts at different institutions.
Relay accepts applications from US LLCs and corporations with EINs. Their policy on non-resident founders is less explicitly welcoming than Mercury’s. Some nomads report smooth onboarding from abroad, while others describe additional verification requests or delays. The consistency of the international experience is less predictable than Mercury’s.
The platform offers two tiers: Relay Standard (free) and Relay Pro ($30 per month). The Pro tier adds features like same-day ACH, automated approval workflows, and accounting integrations. International wire capability requires the Pro tier.
Relay accounts are held at Thread Bank, FDIC-insured up to $250,000. They do not currently offer a sweep product for extended FDIC coverage, which limits their appeal for businesses holding larger balances.
For nomads, Relay’s multi-account structure solves a real organizational problem, but the less consistent international access makes it a riskier first choice than Mercury for someone banking entirely from abroad.
Brex: The Funded Startup Play
Brex operates at a different scale. Originally launched as a corporate card for VC-backed startups, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive financial operating system that includes banking, expense management, bill pay, travel booking, and corporate cards with high limits.
For nomads running solo LLCs or small consultancies, Brex is likely overkill. The platform is designed for companies with teams, multiple card holders, and complex expense workflows. However, if your remote business has grown beyond solo freelancing into a company with employees or contractors, Brex offers capabilities that Mercury and Relay cannot match.
Brex business accounts earn competitive yield on deposits and offer unlimited FDIC coverage through their banking partner network. Corporate cards have no personal guarantee requirement if your company meets their funding thresholds, which historically meant VC backing but now includes revenue-based qualification.
The catch: Brex has significantly tightened their acceptance criteria over the past two years. They closed accounts for many small businesses and solo operators in 2023-2024, refocusing on companies with meaningful revenue or venture funding. If your LLC generates less than roughly $50,000 in annual revenue, Brex may decline your application or close your account after review.
International access is robust for approved accounts. The platform supports global transactions, multi-currency spending on corporate cards, and integrates with international payroll and accounting systems. But the approval barrier makes Brex an option only for established businesses.
The Stripe Atlas Pipeline
A significant percentage of nomads who need US business banking got their LLC through Stripe Atlas, which streamlines Delaware C-Corp or LLC formation for international founders. Stripe Atlas has a direct integration with Mercury, making it the default banking path for Atlas companies.
This pipeline works: form your entity through Atlas, get your EIN, open a Mercury account, connect Stripe for payment processing, and you have a complete US business infrastructure without ever visiting the country. The entire process takes two to four weeks.
Relay and Brex also accept Stripe Atlas companies, but neither has the same streamlined integration. You will need to apply separately and provide your formation documents manually.
The Real Risk Nobody Discusses
All three platforms are fintech companies, not traditional banks. Your money is held at their banking partners, and your access to that money depends on the fintech’s platform remaining operational and your account remaining in good standing.
Fintech account closures are not hypothetical. Brex closed thousands of accounts during their 2023 restructuring. Mercury has suspended accounts during compliance reviews. Relay is smaller and has fewer reported incidents, but the structural risk is the same.
The practical recommendation: do not keep all your business funds in a single fintech platform. Maintain a backup account at a second institution, keep enough liquid reserves outside your primary business account to cover two to three months of expenses, and ensure your banking setup can survive the loss of any single account without disrupting your business operations.
Which One for Your Situation
Solo freelancer with a US LLC, living abroad, under $250K in annual revenue: Mercury. No contest. The international-friendly onboarding, clean interface, and zero monthly fees make it the obvious choice for most nomads.
Small business with multiple expense categories and a desire for financial organization: Relay, ideally as a secondary platform alongside Mercury. The multi-account structure solves real problems, but test the international onboarding before committing.
Growing company with team members, meaningful revenue, and complex financial operations: Brex, if you meet their qualification criteria. The platform’s capabilities justify its complexity for businesses that have outgrown basic banking needs.
The boring answer is often the right one: start with Mercury, add Relay as your operations grow, and graduate to Brex when your business reaches the scale where its features become necessary rather than aspirational.
