With Payrexx digital: VERD, the fair Swiss payment card, goes online
VERD.cash, the non-profit payment method of the VERD cooperative, is now also usable in Swiss e-commerce. Payrexx integrates VERD pro bono into its payment solution, thereby opening around 7,000 Swiss online shops for payments with the orange VERD card.
Sheila
Matti
«VERD is like a toolbox», says Christian Wohlwend, founder and initiator of the VERD cooperative, «and with the tools it contains, anyone can generate money for their own village.» Andrea Bargetzi, managing director of VERD.cash, takes the floor: «The payment method VERD.cash is exactly one of these tools. Each payment with VERD.cash generates money that is later distributed via the VERD cooperative. This promotes projects and invests in vibrant villages and neighborhoods.»
Für Nutzer:innen
VERD verhält sich wie eine Prepaid-Debitkarte: im Laden kontaktlos bezahlen und online die Kartendaten eingeben – mit einem entscheidenden Unterschied. Die erhobenen Gebühren gehen nicht an anonyme Netzwerke, sondern fliessen über die VERD-Genossenschaft zurück in lokale Projekte, in die Dörfer und Quartiere. Genossenschaftler:in kann man beim Bestellen der kostenlosen Karte werden, indem man einen einmaligen Betrag von 5 Franken bezahlt.
Für Händler:innen
VERD zeichnet sich durch niedrige Transaktionsgebühren aus: Im Ladengeschäft bezahlt man pro Zahlung nur 0.6 Prozent – deutlich weniger, als bei anderen Zahlungsmitteln. Zudem stärkt VERD das lokale Profil von Geschäften, Restaurants und Hotels. Wer VERD akzeptiert, unterstützt sichtbar regionale Werte – und erreicht eine Kundschaft, die bewusst gemeinnützig bezahlt.
In recent months, VERD has noticeably gained momentum: Over 400 cards have been activated, more than 2200 transactions conducted, over 140’000 CHF deposited into card accounts, and around 100 businesses now accept VERD. The online start is the next logical step.
Entry into E-commerce thanks to Exclusive Partnership
Together with the Thun-based payment service provider Payrexx, VERD.cash should not only be available in village stores but also online in the future. Through integration into all products and services of Payrexx, around 7,000 Swiss merchants will have access to VERD.cash and allow their customers to pay with the orange card. To support the charitable idea of VERD, Payrexx also assumes all incurred costs and performs the entire integration pro bono. For online payments, the transaction costs amount to only 0.85%.
«VERD und Payrexx haben viele Gemeinsamkeiten: Beide Unternehmen wollen kleine und mittlere Unternehmen unterstützen, beiden liegt die Region am Herzen und beide möchten einen Wandel im traditionellen Zahlungsbusiness herbeiführen. Eine Zusammenarbeit war für uns deshalb nur logisch.»
Ivan Schmid
Gründer und CEO Payrexx
According to Christian Wohlwend, it makes sense for VERD to tackle online commerce as early as possible: «A vibrant village needs lively businesses, and many village stores already have an online shop nowadays. This way, they can offer their products and services regardless of opening hours.» Through integration into the Payrexx network, regional businesses could increase their visibility. «Moreover, it's also about self-determination,» emphasizes Andrea Bargetzi, «users should be able to decide for themselves how or where they shop. No one should be forced to go into the store to support their village.»
