US Postal Money Order

US Postal Money Orders (USPMO) are one of the most private payment methods available on Bisq. Before starting a trade, please be aware of the specific parameters for this payment method:

• Region: United States only
• Maximum Trade Period: 8 days
• Maximum Trade Size: 0.0625 BTC

This guide provides a complete overview of how to safely and privately use this payment method for buying and selling bitcoin on Bisq.

Critical Trading Requirements

Before you create or take an offer using US Postal Money Orders, you must understand and agree to the following rules. Failure to comply will result in losing any trade dispute.

For BTC Buyers: You must write the BTC Seller’s name in both the "From" (Payer) and "To" (Payee) fields on the money order. Proof is Required: BTC buyers must take a high-resolution photo of the filled-out USPMO and another photo of the stamped envelope showing proof of tracking. Use Tracking: All USPMOs must be sent with a service that provides delivery confirmation (e.g., USPS Tracking). Burden of Proof: In a dispute, the sender (BTC buyer) bears 100% of the responsibility to provide the required photos and tracking information to the mediator. This includes the USPMO Serial Number, Post Office Number, and dollar amount. If you are not prepared to follow these rules, do not trade using USPMO on Bisq.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Trading with USPMO

Step 1: Set Up Your Payment Account

First, you need to set up a USPMO payment account in Bisq. Your setup will differ depending on whether you are buying or selling bitcoin. For maximum privacy, consider creating two separate accounts: one for buying and one for selling.

For Buying Bitcoin (Maximizing Privacy)

When buying bitcoin, the USPMO is a bearer instrument. This means the details of the sender are less important, allowing for greater privacy.

• Name: It is acceptable to use a pseudonym or a randomly generated name.
• Address: You must provide a return address. If the envelope is returned, it will go to this address. You have two main options:
  • Option 1 (Less Secure): Use a random address. Be aware that if your mail is returned, the money order will likely be lost permanently.
  • Option 2 (More Secure): Use a trusted secondary address, such as that of a friend, neighbor, or local business that you can access. This increases the chance of recovering a returned envelope.

Note: Using non-authentic information in a payment account is generally against Bisq trade protocol. This is a rare, accepted exception for the purpose of privacy when buying BTC with USPMO.

For Selling Bitcoin (Receiving Payment)

When selling bitcoin, you must use your real information to receive and cash the money order.

• Name: Must be your real, legal name as it appears on your photo ID.
• Address: Must be the correct and valid mailing address where you want to receive the envelope.

Step 2: Purchase the Money Order

After taking an offer to buy bitcoin, go to any US Post Office location to purchase the USPMO.

• Amount Limit: You can send up to $1,000 in a single money order. For larger trades, you will need to purchase multiple money orders.
• Payment Method:
  • It is highly recommended to use cash. Paying with a debit card creates a data trail that compromises the privacy benefits of using a money order.
  • Debit cards are accepted, but credit cards are not.
• Fees: You will pay the dollar value of the money order plus an issuing fee. As of August 2025, the fees are:

USPMO Issuing Fees

Dollar Amount	Fee
$0.01 to $500.00	$2.55
$500.01 to $1,000.00	$3.60
Postal Military Money Orders	$0.84

• Keep Your Receipt: The receipt is essential for tracking the money order and is critical evidence if a trade dispute arises. Keep it in a safe place until the trade is successfully completed.
• Privacy Tip: For maximum privacy, consider filling out the money order details away from the post office and its cameras.

Step 3: Send the Money Order

Follow the critical requirements listed at the top of this article. Address the envelope to the seller and prepare it for mailing.

• Add a Privacy Layer: Fold a blank sheet of paper and place the money order inside it before putting it in the envelope. This makes it harder to see the contents when held up to a light.
• Buy Tracking: You must pay for a mailing option that includes tracking or delivery confirmation.
• Confirm in Bisq: Once you have mailed the envelope, click the Payment started button in your Bisq client. This is a crucial step that notifies the seller and continues the trade process.

• 

  Step 1: Open the folded paper to create a privacy layer.

• 

  Step 2: Place the money order inside the folded sheet.

• 

  Step 3: Insert the sheet into the envelope and seal.

Step 4: Verify the Money Order (How to Spot a Fake)

For the BTC seller, it is crucial to verify that a received money order is authentic before releasing the bitcoin. Real postal money orders have specific security features to prevent fraud. There are currently four valid designs in circulation.

When you receive a money order, hold it up to the light to check for the security features associated with its design.

Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (July 2025)

Red, Blue, & Red Design (July 2025)

• A watermark image of a Pony Express® rider is visible on the left side.
• A watermark of the words "United States Postal Service" appears in a box on the right side.
• An embedded security thread runs from top to bottom, revealing the letters "USPS" in alternating directions.
• A QR Code that links to the USPS "Check Money Order Status" tool.

Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (February 2025)

Red, Blue, & Red Design (February 2025)

• A watermark image of a Pony Express® rider is visible on the left side.
• A watermark of the words "United States Postal Service" appears in a box on the right side.
• An embedded security thread runs from top to bottom, revealing the letters "USPS" in alternating directions.
• A QR Code that links to the USPS "Check Money Order Status" tool.

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version)

Green & Purple Design (Point-of-Sale)

• A watermark of the U.S. Mail eagle (1970 logo) is visible in the center.
• Watermarks of Ben Franklin repeat from top to bottom on the left side.
• A vertical, multicolored security thread with "USPS" is woven in and out of the paper to the right of the Franklin watermarks.

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Paymaster Version)

Green & Purple Design (Paymaster)

• A watermark of the U.S. Mail eagle (1970 logo) is visible in the center.
• Watermarks of Ben Franklin repeat from top to bottom on the left side.
• A vertical, multicolored security thread with "USPS" is woven in and out of the paper to the right of the Franklin watermarks.

Step 5: Redeem the Money Order

Once you have received and verified the USPMO, you have two main options for redemption.

Cashing It Out

You can redeem a USPMO for cash at any post office.

• You must present a valid photo ID that matches the name written in the "To" field.
• Post offices may have limited cash on hand. For larger amounts (e.g., $1,000), they may not have enough cash in a single drawer. You may need to visit different locations or at different times.

Exchanging for a New USPMO

You can exchange a USPMO you received for a new, blank USPMO in your name. This is useful if you want to use the funds to pay bills or send money elsewhere without depositing it into a bank account. Some cashiers may be unfamiliar with this process, but it is allowed. If you encounter resistance, politely ask for a manager.