The essentials in brief:

• Paying for a good cause: At VERD, transaction fees flow back into the villages and neighborhoods of cardholders — they determine which projects are funded.

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

• Attractive conditions: For Comerciantes, payments only cost 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, 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. Every payment with VERD.cash generates money, which is later distributed through the VERD cooperative. This encourages projects and invests in vibrant villages and neighborhoods.»

For users, VERD behaves like a prepaid debit card: pay contactlessly in-store and enter the card data online — with one key difference. The fees collected do not go to anonymous networks, but flow via the VERD cooperative back into local projects, into villages and neighborhoods. One can become a cooperator by ordering the free card and paying a one-time fee of 5 francs.

For Comerciantes, VERD is characterized by low transaction fees: In-store payment costs only 0.6 percent per transaction — significantly less than with other payment methods. In addition, 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 for a good cause.

In recent months, VERD has gained noticeable momentum: Over 400 cards have been activated, more than 2200 transactions conducted, over 140,000 EUR deposited onto the card accounts, and around 100 shops now accept VERD. The online launch is the next logical step.

Entering e-commerce thanks to exclusive partnership

Together with Thun-based payment provider Payrexx, VERD.cash should soon be available not only in village shops but also online. Through integration in all Payrexx products and services, about 7,000 Swiss Comerciantes will have access to VERD.cash and can allow their customers to pay with the orange card. To support VERD's charitable concept, Payrexx takes on all incurred costs and conducts the entire integration pro bono. For online payments, transaction costs are 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 deeply about the region, and both intend to induce a change in 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 business sector, and many village shops nowadays already have an online store. This way, they can offer their products and services independently of opening hours.» Through integration into the Payrexx network, regional shops 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 to the store to support their village.»