US Postal Money Order

US Postal Money Orders (USPMO) are one of the most private payment methods available on Bisq. Because they are bearer instruments, they can be purchased with cash and mailed, providing a path to Bitcoin without a digital bank trail.

• 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.

Avoid "Same-Name" Fields: Do NOT write the BTC Seller’s name in both the "From" and "To" fields. Many banks and automated systems now flag these as suspicious, which can lead to complications or account closures for the Seller. Video Proof is Required: Photos are no longer sufficient to prove a payment was sent. BTC buyers must record a continuous video of the USPMO being filled out, placed into the envelope, and sealed with the tracking label visible. 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 mailing video and tracking information. 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 the Bisq UI. It is important to distinguish between the Account Information used within the software and the Physical Information used on the money order and envelope.

Account Information in Bisq UI

Similar to "Cash by Mail," the name you enter into your Bisq payment account does not need to match your real identity.

• Name: You may use a pseudonym or a randomly generated name in the Bisq software. This name is only seen by your trading partner in the app.
• Address:
  • BTC Buyers: Use a valid return address. For privacy, a PO Box or a trusted secondary address is recommended. If the mail is returned and your return address is invalid, the funds will be lost.
  • BTC Sellers: Must provide a valid mailing address where you can physically receive the envelope.

Information on the Physical Money Order

While your Bisq UI profile can be anonymous, the physical instrument has strict requirements:

• Never Use Fake Info: Writing a fake name or a pseudonym on a US Postal Money Order is a federal offense.
• For the Seller: To cash the money order, the "To" field must match your legal photo ID.
• For the Buyer: You must decide between using your real name in the "From" field (best for seller's bank compliance) or leaving it blank (best for your privacy). Do not use your Bisq pseudonym on the physical document.

Step 2: Purchase the Money Order

• Amount Limit: Up to $1,000 per money order. Multiple orders are allowed for larger trades.
• Payment Method: It is highly recommended to use cash. Paying with a debit card creates a data trail; credit cards are not accepted.
• Fees: As of January 2026, 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

• Receipt: Keep your receipt in a safe place. It is essential for tracking and is required if the money order is lost or damaged.

Step 3: Filling and Sending

Because many banks now flag "Same-to-Same" transfers (where the same name is in both fields), you must change how you fill out the "From" (Purchaser) section.

Filling out the "From" Section

The "To" field must always be the Seller's legal name. For the "From" field, you have two choices:

1. Your Information: Most secure for the seller's bank deposits.
2. Leave Blank: Provides maximum privacy for the buyer, but some banks may refuse to accept the deposit if the sender information is missing.

Mandatory Video Proof

To prevent "ghost shipping" disputes, record a single continuous video:

1. Show the completed USPMO (matching the trade amount and Seller's name).
2. Show the USPS purchase receipt.
3. Place the MO inside a blank sheet of paper (privacy layer) and then into the envelope.
4. Seal the envelope and show the tracking label clearly.

Step 4: Verify the Money Order (2025/2026 Designs)

Sellers should verify the authenticity of the USPMO before releasing bitcoin.

Red, Blue, & Red Design (2025/2026 Standard)

Current Design

• Watermarks: Hold to light to see a Pony Express® rider on the left and "United States Postal Service" in a box on the right.
• Security Thread: A vertical thread to the right of the rider watermark with "USPS" repeating in alternating directions.
• QR Code: A QR Code on the front links directly to the USPS "Check Money Order Status" tool for easy verification.

Green & Purple Design (Legacy)

Legacy Design

• Watermarks: A U.S. Mail eagle in the center and Benjamin Franklin watermarks on the left side.
• Security Thread: A vertical, multicolored security thread weaving in and out of the paper.

Step 5: Cashing the Money Order

It is recommended to cash the USPMO at a Post Office. You will need a valid photo ID that matches the name in the "To" field.

If you are depositing into a bank, be aware that many physical branches now require you to use a teller for money orders rather than an ATM or mobile deposit.