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 available for use in Swiss e-commerce. Payrexx is integrating VERD pro bono into its payment solution, thereby enabling payments with the orange VERD card in around 7,000 Swiss online shops.
Sheila
Matti
«VERD is like a toolbox,» says Christian Wohlwend, founder and initiator of the VERD cooperative, «and with the tools contained within it, anyone 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 way, projects are promoted and investments are made 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 picked up speed: Over 400 cards have been activated, more than 2200 transactions conducted, over 140,000 EUR deposited into card accounts, and around 100 businesses now accept VERD. The online launch is the next logical step.
Entry into e-commerce thanks to exclusive partnership
Together with the Thun payment provider Payrexx, VERD.cash will soon be available not only in village shops but also online. Through integration into all products and services of Payrexx, roughly 7,000 Swiss merchants will have access to VERD.cash and can allow their customers to pay with the orange card. To support the charitable idea of VERD, Payrexx also covers all costs incurred and carries out the entire integration pro bono. For online payments, transaction costs amount to just 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 trade as early as possible: «A vibrant village needs vibrant commerce, and many village shops nowadays already have an online shop. This allows them to offer their products and services independently of opening hours.» Through integration into the Payrexx network, regional businesses could increase their visibility. «Additionally, it is 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.»
