🔥 TODAY: Mastercard is in advanced talks to acquire crypto infrastructure startup zerohash in a deal valued between $1.5B-$2B, per Fortune. https://t.co/yP0KTiasOB ...

Core Insights - Mastercard is reportedly in late-stage discussions to acquire zerohash, a startup focused on crypto and stablecoin infrastructure, with a potential deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion [2][3] Company Developments - Zerohash recently raised $104 million in a Series D-2 funding round to accelerate product expansion and talent acquisition, driven by increased demand for enterprise-grade on-chain infrastructure [3][4] - The company has established partnerships, including one with Morgan Stanley to enable cryptocurrency trading on E-Trade's platform by 2026, initially allowing trades in bitcoin, ether, and solana [4] - Zerohash will also provide cryptocurrency trading and custody services for OnePay, a FinTech company majority-owned by Walmart, enabling access to bitcoin and ether later this year [5] Market Context - The surge in demand for crypto infrastructure is attributed to growing consumer adoption and new regulatory clarity in the United States and Europe [3] - Mastercard is also competing with Coinbase to acquire BVNK, a FinTech company that specializes in stablecoin payment infrastructure [6]

Core Insights - Mastercard is close to acquiring Zerohash for a deal valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, marking its significant entry into stablecoin infrastructure [1] - The acquisition aligns with the trend of global payment firms seeking new revenue streams from blockchain-based settlement, facilitated by clearer regulatory standards in the US and Europe [1] Group 1: Acquisition Details - Zerohash provides API-driven tools for banks, fintechs, and brokerages to facilitate crypto trading, tokenization, and stablecoin transfers, with over $2 billion in tokenized fund flows reported in April [2] - Mastercard aims for direct control over the infrastructure rather than a loose integration, as part of its strategy to scale regulated digital-asset services [3] Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition could transform how Mastercard handles cross-border transactions, allowing it to settle stablecoin transfers internally without relying on external partners [6] - This shift indicates a strategic move away from consumer-facing wallets towards building the foundational infrastructure for regulated blockchain payments [5]

Mastercard in Talks to Acquire Stablecoin Tech Firm Zerohash for Around $2 Billion: Fortune► https://t.co/orEYfzIozZ https://t.co/orEYfzIozZ ...

Core Insights - Mastercard is in advanced discussions to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm Zerohash for between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, indicating a strategic move to enhance its presence in the stablecoin market [1] - The acquisition would follow another potential deal with BVNK, also valued at approximately $2 billion, highlighting the growing interest of traditional financial firms in stablecoin technology [2] - The stablecoin market has seen significant growth, with a market capitalization exceeding $312 billion, and predictions suggest it could reach $750 billion by the end of 2026 [4] Company Developments - Zerohash recently closed a $104 million Series D-2 funding round at a $1 billion valuation, raising a total of $275 million since its inception in 2017 [5] - The company has established partnerships with major financial institutions, including a recent collaboration with Morgan Stanley to enable trading of cryptocurrencies on the E*Trade platform [6][7] - Mastercard's spokesperson has refrained from commenting on the acquisition speculation, maintaining a level of confidentiality around the discussions [2] Industry Trends - The stablecoin sector is experiencing increased activity due to a more favorable political and regulatory environment, including the passage of the GENIUS Act, which provides a framework for stablecoin issuance and trading [3] - There is a growing belief among market participants that the stablecoin market value will exceed $360 billion before February, reflecting optimism in the sector's future [4]

Group 1: Mastercard's Acquisition Plans - Mastercard is in late-stage talks to acquire blockchain infrastructure startup Zero Hash for approximately $1.5 billion to $2 billion as competition in stablecoin payments intensifies [1] - The potential acquisition comes as Mastercard may be losing out to Coinbase in bidding for another crypto payments firm, BVNK [1] Group 2: Stablecoin Market Growth - Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies tied to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, are emerging as a significant area for global payment flows, with projected payment volume reaching $1 trillion by 2030 [2] - The growth of stablecoin payments is driven by institutional adoption, FX settlement, and cross-border flows [2] Group 3: Industry Developments - Visa has announced plans to launch a tokenization platform to assist banks in issuing and managing stablecoins [3] - Stripe has acquired stablecoin infrastructure provider Bridge for $1.1 billion and is developing its own blockchain rail with Paradigm [3] Group 4: Zero Hash's Performance - Zero Hash processed $2 billion in tokenized fund flows in the first four months of the year, indicating rising institutional demand for on-chain assets [4] - The startup raised $104 million in September, led by Interactive Brokers and Morgan Stanley [4]

Mergers and Acquisitions - Mastercard is set to acquire crypto startup ZeroHash for nearly $2 billion [1] Financial Implications - The acquisition represents a significant investment by Mastercard in the cryptocurrency space [1]

Mastercard is in late-stage talks to acquire crypto startup Zerohash for between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, Fortune reported on Wednesday. ...

🚨 BREAKING: Mastercard plans to acquire crypto startup ZeroHash for nearly $2B, per Fortune. https://t.co/FXpbkWHBSB ...

JUST IN: 💳 Mastercard to acquire crypto startup Zerohash for $2 billion - Fortune ...