Swiss Post Decided to Launch “Swiss Crypto Stamp”

The national postal service of Switzerland issues around 50 different new stamps each year. Stamps issued by Swiss Post feature a wide variety of designs. This year, it will launch a very different type of stamp, representing a milestone in Swiss stamp history. A crypto stamp will help Swiss Post to reduce the distance between physical stamps and the digital cryptocurrency industry by introducing tradable digital stamps. 

Last month, it announced the upcoming launch of the “Swiss crypto stamp”. It looks like any ordinary stamp. People can use it to frank postal items just like any other stamp. However, the actual crypto stamp is digital. 

This stamp consists of two parts. It is a physical stamp worth 8.90 francs, at the same time every crypto stamp has a related digital image. The crypto stamp will be stored on a blockchain. 

People will be able to discover a digital twin of their physical stamp online through a QR code printed next to the physical stamp. Its image will show one of 13 possible designs. 

Crypto stamp and new opportunities 

Customers will be able to exchange or sell their crypto stamps on platforms such as world-famous marketplace (NFT) OpenSea. Potential buyers should keep in mind that Swiss Post only sells the stamp, trading with it takes place separately from Swiss Post.

The Swiss Post’s stamp will apparently provide an experience somewhat similar to non-fungible tokens. Some of the crypto stamps will have a rare design. Out of 65,000 copies of the most common digital design, only 50 of them will have a rare design. 

Swiss Post will launch its crypto stamp in less than two months on November 25. According to the postal service, it will be the first stamp of its kind ever launched in Switzerland. The country’s first crypto stamp will be available from November 25 at selected Swiss Post branches. Customers have the opportunity to order it at all Swiss Post branches as well as online. 

Austria’s postal service also announced plans for incorporating non-fungible token chips in its Crypto Stamp 3.0. It has a circulation of 100,000. The country released its first-ever crypto stamp in 2019. 

Several months ago, crypto startup Coinsilium inked a partnership with the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau to issue NFT postage stamps.

• Related: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority