Difference between revisions of "US Postal Money Order"

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'''US Postal Money Orders''' (USPMO) are one of the most private payment methods on Bisq, currently only available for use on Bisq within the United States.  
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'''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.
  
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This article covers tips and tricks on using this payment method for buying and selling bitcoin on Bisq.
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* '''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.
  
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
  
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= Setting up a payment account in Bisq =
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= Critical Trading Requirements =
  
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To buy and sell bitcoin using US Postal Money orders, you will need to [[Create_a_payment_account|set up a corresponding payment account]] in Bisq.
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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.
  
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Things to keep in mind:
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{{Admonition_Note |
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* It is okay to use a fake name and address in a USPMO account on Bisq '''only if using the account will be used to ''buy'' bitcoin'''. This is because a USPMO is a bearer instrument—as long as the money order itself is valid, it doesn't matter who sent it or what the sender's address is.
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* '''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.
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** Consider using an online name generator (search "random name generator" on your favorite search engine) for a more bias-free suggestion for the sender's name.
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* '''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.
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** For the sender's address, you may want to be more careful, because if your envelope is returned, you'll want to be able to retrieve it.
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* '''Use Tracking:''' All USPMOs must be sent with a service that provides delivery confirmation (e.g., USPS Tracking).
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*** '''Option 1''' - Use an actual fake address (search internet for "random address generator"). If your envelope is returned for any reason, you'll probably lose it for good.
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* '''Burden of Proof:''' In a dispute, the sender (BTC buyer) bears 100% of the responsibility to provide the required mailing video and tracking information.  
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*** '''Option 2''' - Use another address: that of a neighbor, a friend, or a nearby building (e.g., apartment leasing office, local mom-and-pop shop, etc). This way, you'll have a higher chance of retrieving a returned envelope, but you'll reveal a bit of information about your location.
 
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* If selling, name and address must be correct (address must be correct in order to receive the envelope, and name must match photo ID to cash it).
 
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* To maximize privacy, consider setting up 2 separate payment accounts: one with fake information for buying bitcoin and one with real information for selling bitcoin.
 
  
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Again, please note that incorrect information in Bisq payment accounts is generally against Bisq trade protocol. Buying bitcoin with USPMO is a rare exception.
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If you are not prepared to follow these rules, do not trade using USPMO on Bisq.}}
  
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= Buying the money order =
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= A Step-by-Step Guide to Trading with USPMO =
  
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It is highly recommended to use cash to buy the USPMO. Using any other electronic form of payment adds a form of tracking to the transaction, which can defeat the purpose of using the USPMO in the first place.
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== Step 1: Set Up Your Payment Account ==
  
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If you're not buying more than $3,000 of money orders in a single day, the [https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/509.htm#ep1124357 USPS does not require photo ID]. If asked for ID, kindly remind your cashier that ID isn't required (perhaps you left it at home?).
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First, you need to [[Create_a_payment_account|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.
  
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Also consider:
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=== Account Information in Bisq UI ===
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* asking for a printed receipt, in case of a dispute on Bisq
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Similar to "Cash by Mail," the name you enter into your Bisq payment account does not need to match your real identity.
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* wearing sunglasses and/or a mask
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* '''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.
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* placing the USPMO out of sight upon receiving it, and filling it out elsewhere (away from cameras)
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* '''Address:'''
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** '''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.
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** '''BTC Sellers:''' Must provide a valid mailing address where you can physically receive the envelope.
  
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= Sending a money order in the mail =
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=== Information on the Physical Money Order ===
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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.
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* '''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.
  
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[[File:Uspsmo-4.png|400px|thumb|right|Figure 1. Extra paper for extra privacy in the envelope.]]
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== Step 2: Purchase the Money Order ==
  
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Address the envelope as appropriate.  
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* '''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.
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* '''Fees:''' As of January 2026, the fees are:
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{| class="wikitable"
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|+ USPMO Issuing Fees
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|-
 +
! Dollar Amount !! Fee
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|-
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| $0.01 to $500.00 || $2.55
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|-
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| $500.01 to $1,000.00 || $3.60
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|-
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| Postal Military Money Orders || $0.84
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|}
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* '''Receipt:''' Keep your receipt in a safe place. It is essential for tracking and is required if the money order is lost or damaged.
  
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When putting the money order in the envelope, consider adding a blank sheet of paper for an additional layer of privacy. Fold a blank sheet of paper in half twice (to form a “V” shape). Place the folded sheet in the envelope with the opening facing up. In between the “V” opening, place the USPMO (see Figure 1). This extra layer of paper makes it harder to see the envelope's contents from the outside.
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== Step 3: Filling and Sending ==
  
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After dropping your money order in the mail, don't forget to mark your payment as sent in Bisq!
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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.
  
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= Redeeming a money order =
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=== Filling out the "From" Section ===
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The "To" field must always be the Seller's legal name. For the "From" field, you have two choices:
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# '''Your Information:''' Most secure for the seller's bank deposits.
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# '''Leave Blank:''' Provides maximum privacy for the buyer, but some banks may refuse to accept the deposit if the sender information is missing.
  
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== For cash ==
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=== Mandatory Video Proof ===
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To prevent "ghost shipping" disputes, record a single continuous video:
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# Show the completed USPMO (matching the trade amount and Seller's name).
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# Show the USPS purchase receipt.
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# Place the MO inside a blank sheet of paper (privacy layer) and then into the envelope.
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# Seal the envelope and show the tracking label clearly.
  
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In order to redeem a money order for cash, you'll need to present photo identification that matches the name on the USPMO.
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== Step 4: Verify the Money Order (2025/2026 Designs) ==
  
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Keep in mind that the cash you can receive may be limited to the amount of cash the cashier has in their drawer—to receive larger quantities of cash, you may need to go to different locations or go back at different times.
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Sellers should verify the authenticity of the USPMO before releasing bitcoin.  
  
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One user has reported a workaround involving spreading the transaction to other counters at the post office:
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=== Red, Blue, & Red Design (2025/2026 Standard) ===
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[[File:Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (July 2025).jpeg|thumb|left|350px|Current Design]]
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* '''Watermarks:''' Hold to light to see a '''Pony Express® rider''' on the left and "United States Postal Service" in a box on the right.
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* '''Security Thread:''' A vertical thread to the right of the rider watermark with "USPS" repeating in alternating directions.
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* '''QR Code:''' A QR Code on the front links directly to the USPS "Check Money Order Status" tool for easy verification.
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<br style="clear: both;" />
  
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<blockquote>The first time I visited the Post Office to "cash out" my money order someone sent me in Bisq, I think it was for the amount of $1,000 USD. The Teller told me she doesn't have that much money to help me redeem it. But then, instead of sending me away to my bank to deposit it there, she called out to her co-workers down the line, asking each of them how much each currently had in their drawer. Whereas she had (I forget the exact amounts now) maybe $200 in her drawer, the neighboring teller said she had $300 and the next Teller over said he had about $700. So, my Teller took my $1,000 money order, gave me the $200 in her drawer, printed me a new money order for the difference of $800, and sent me to see the next Teller. Then, that 2nd Teller accepted my $800 money order, gave me her $300 in her drawer, and printed me the difference of $500 as a new money order. Finally, the 3rd Teller used the $700 in his drawer to fully redeem my $500 money order. I had to hop three Tellers, one after another, paying the fee for each money order printed along the way, but I walked out of the Post Office with $1,000 cash in that one visit.</blockquote>
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=== Green & Purple Design (Legacy) ===
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[[File:Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version).jpeg|thumb|left|350px|Legacy Design]]
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* '''Watermarks:''' A U.S. Mail eagle in the center and Benjamin Franklin watermarks on the left side.
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* '''Security Thread:''' A vertical, multicolored security thread weaving in and out of the paper.
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<br style="clear: both;" />
  
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== For new USPMOs ==
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== Step 5: Cashing the Money Order ==
  
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Another option is to redeem the USPMO you receive for another USPMO. Some cashiers will claim this isn't possible, but it is. Gently call a manager or colleague to help in case your cashier doesn't cooperate.
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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.  
  
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Why redeem a USPMO for another USPMO? Because a USPMO is almost as good as cash—you can mail USPMO to billers to pay bills (without banks!), for example.
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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.

Latest revision as of 16:53, 17 January 2026

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.

Note
  • 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.

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