The most important points in brief:

• Pay altruistically: At VERD, the transaction fees flow back into the villages and neighborhoods of the cardholders – they decide which projects to fund.

• Immediately available online: Through the Payrexx integration, VERD.cash can be used instantly in thousands of Swiss online shops.

• Attractive conditions: For merchants, payments cost only 0.6% in store or via Payrexx QR Pay and 0.85% online.

• Value-based: VERD and Payrexx share a focus on regionality, sustainability, and SMEs.

«VERD is like a toolbox,» says Christian Wohlwend, founder and initiator of the VERD cooperative, «and with the tools contained therein, everyone can generate money for their own village.» Andrea Bargetzi, CEO of VERD.cash, takes the floor: «The payment method VERD.cash is exactly one of these tools. Every payment with VERD.cash generates money, which is later distributed through the VERD cooperative. This supports projects and invests in vibrant villages and neighborhoods.»

For users, VERD behaves like a prepaid debit card: pay contactless in store and enter card details online – with one crucial difference. The fees charged do not go to anonymous networks but flow back into local projects, into the villages and neighborhoods via the VERD cooperative. You can become a cooperative member when ordering the free card by paying a one-time fee of 5 francs.

For merchants, VERD stands out with low transaction fees: In stores, you only pay 0.6 percent per payment – significantly less than with other payment means. Additionally, VERD strengthens the local profile of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Those who accept VERD visibly support regional values – and reach a clientele that consciously pays altruistically.

In recent months, VERD has gained significant momentum: Over 400 cards have been activated, more than 2,200 transactions conducted, over 140,000 CHF deposited into the card accounts, and around 100 businesses now accept VERD. The online launch is the next logical step.

Entry into E-commerce thanks to an exclusive partnership

Together with the Thun-based payment provider Payrexx, VERD.cash will in future be available not only in the village store but also online. Through integration into all products and services of Payrexx, around 7,000 Swiss merchants will have access to VERD.cash and can let their customers pay with the orange card. To support VERD's altruistic idea, Payrexx also covers all costs incurred and carries out the entire integration pro bono. For online payments, the transaction costs are also only 0.85%.

«VERD and Payrexx have many similarities,» explains Ivan Schmid, founder and CEO of Payrexx AG, who also initiated the collaboration with VERD. «Both companies want to support small and medium-sized enterprises, both care about the region, and both want to drive change in the traditional payment business. A collaboration was therefore only logical for us.»

According to Christian Wohlwend, it makes sense for VERD to address online commerce as early as possible: «A vibrant village needs a vibrant trade, and many village shops nowadays already have an online shop. This allows them to 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 visit a store to support their village.»