International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter)

What International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter) does

International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter) is a privately held B2B barter exchange network founded in 1985 and headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The company operates as a two-sided marketplace connecting over 14,000 member businesses across 52 North American markets, facilitating the trade of goods and services using a proprietary monetary unit called the trade dollar, which is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar and never expires while membership is active. Members include small and medium businesses across all industries as well as larger enterprises in media and hospitality (including iHeartMedia, Audacy, Forbes, Bloomberg Business Week, and Landmark Resort) served through a dedicated IMS Corporate Barter division.

The core technology stack comprises the IMS Trade Dollar electronic payment system, the IMS Online Account for 24/7 account access, the IMS Marketplace for online product listings, the IMS Member Directory covering 15,000+ businesses, and a mobile application for iOS and Android rebuilt in 2024. The platform is supported operationally by over 30 US branch offices and a dedicated trade broker model where each member is assigned a personal broker who actively markets their offerings and generates qualified leads within the network. IMS has also grown through a sustained acquisition program that has consolidated competing trade exchanges into the network since 1985, with disclosed transactions including Bartermax (2008) and Nationwide Barter (2011).

The business model combines a 7.5% transaction fee on each barter trade with a monthly maintenance fee of $15 cash and $15 trade dollars per member account, generating recurring and transaction-linked revenue. The company is led by CEO John Strabley (2023 IRTA Barter Hall of Fame inductee) with founder Don Mardak serving as Chairman, and operates with 51-100 employees. Membership requires submission of barter sales to the IRS as regular revenue, providing a tax-compliant alternative cash channel for businesses seeking to monetize excess inventory, underutilized capacity, and to acquire new customers without spending cash.

Name

International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter)

Legal name

International Monetary Systems, Ltd.

Website

https://imsbarter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IMS Barter is a privately held B2B barter exchange founded in 1985 that connects over 14,000 member businesses across 52 North American markets through a proprietary trade-dollar platform, charging a 7.5% transaction fee plus monthly maintenance fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Barter Exchange Services

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

B2B Marketplaces & Wholesale Platforms (BPAMAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trade Finance & Supply Chain Finance Platforms (FSAGAJAL)

Keywords

• B2B barter exchange
• Trade exchange network
• Barter trade dollars
• Corporate barter services
• Business trade platform

Headquarters

HQ city

New Berlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices33 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Transaction Fees: IMS charges a 7.5% fee on each barter transaction conducted through the network.
2. Monthly Maintenance Fees: Monthly maintenance fee of $15 cash and $15 IMS trade dollars per member account.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter) operates the largest independent B2B barter exchange network in North America, enabling member businesses to trade goods and services using proprietary IMS Trade Dollars (1 USD = 1 Trade Dollar). Each member is assigned a dedicated personal trade broker who markets their offerings, generates qualified leads, and facilitates trades within the network of over 14,000 member businesses across 52 North American markets. The platform is supported by an online marketplace, mobile app, and 24/7 online account access for trade settlement.

Product overview

International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter) operates as a B2B barter exchange network platform consisting of multiple interconnected products and services. The core offering is the IMS Barter Network (over 14,000 member businesses) powered by IMS Trade Dollars as the monetary unit. Key platform components include the IMS Online Account for 24/7 account management, the IMS Marketplace for buying and selling products, the IMS Member Directory for discovering trade partners, and IMS Travel for booking accommodations. The IMS Corporate Barter division serves larger businesses with excess inventory and capacity. Additional value-add services include dedicated IMS Trade Brokers who act as sales representatives, the IMS Mobile App for iOS and Android, and the IMS Million Dollar Club recognition program. The platform has also grown through acquisitions of other trade exchanges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMS Corporate Barter: A division of IMS Barter providing corporate barter solutions to corporations, manufacturers, and large companies in the media and hospitality sectors.

Products and services

• IMS Barter Network Membership Flagship membership-based B2B barter exchange network connecting over 14,000 member businesses across the United States; members trade goods and services using IMS Trade Dollars at full everyday selling prices.
• IMS Corporate Barter Division of IMS Barter providing commercial/corporate barter solutions to corporations, manufacturers, and large companies — particularly in media and hospitality — for liquidating excess inventory and excess capacity.
• IMS Trade Dollars (Monetary System) Proprietary monetary unit used within the IMS network where one US Dollar equals one Trade Dollar; trade dollars never expire or lose value while membership is maintained and provide purchasing power at over 14,000 participating member businesses.
• IMS Online Account 24/7 online account access for members to view trade dollar balances, barter history, member directory, marketplace shopping, travel bookings, and account management similar to online banking.
• IMS Online Marketplace Exclusive online marketplace where IMS members list and sell products using trade dollars, featuring millions of dollars of products across categories including jewelry, art, furniture, and consumer goods; similar in concept to Amazon/Etsy.
• IMS Member Directory Comprehensive directory of IMS member businesses searchable by location and category, enabling members to find trade partners across 52 North American markets.
• IMS Travel Travel booking offering within the IMS platform featuring thousands of accommodations including hotels, bed & breakfasts, resorts, and vacation homes bookable with IMS trade dollars.
• IMS Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android providing real-time account access, member directory, dining & entertainment options, travel opportunities, certificates, online Marketplace access, and payment processing. Dynamic upgrade released in 2024 with a complete rebuild.
• IMS Trade Brokers Service Dedicated trade brokers assigned to each member who actively market and sell the member's products/services within the network, generate qualified leads, and act as an extension of the member's sales and marketing team.
• IMS Trade Exchange Acquisitions Program Program for acquiring and integrating other trade exchanges into the IMS network, providing trade exchange owners with resources, administrative support, and growth opportunities under the IMS brand.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members consistently add 10% per year in new business through the network (per long-term member testimonial)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA)coreOthersIMS Barter is a proud member and sponsor of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, a non-profit organization committed to promoting just and equitable standards of operation within the Modern Trade and Barter Industry and other Alternative Capital Systems Industry. IRTA helps IMS ensure proper alignment with industry direction and effective communication with member companies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ImsBarter
• Facebookfacebook.com/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-monetary-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Monetary Systems (IMS Barter)