2025年6月24日，万事达宣布与Chainlink（区块链预言机网络，旨在弥合链下数据与链上智能合约 之间的差距）建立战略合作伙伴关系。有分析认为，这意味着传统支付网络正主动上"链"，在不拆 解合规架构的前提下，将 DeFi（去中心化金融）纳入自身轨道。 现在，一个用户无需理解区块链即可体验链上经济价值、推动Web3.0（基于区块链去中心化的第 三代互联网）从"极客工具"向"大众金融基础设施"转型的支付裂变时刻已至。 金融业正在经历"链改"而非"被颠覆"，最终是否会形成一种 混合型金融服务生态：底层是区块链技术作为新金融基础设 施；中间层是合规框架下的加密资产纳入主流体系；应用层则 由传统金融机构主导。 作者：欧阳晓红 封图：图虫创意 想 象 一 下 ： 2025 年 的 夏 天 ， 在 纽 约 一 家 咖 啡 馆 ， 一 位 年 轻 的 软 件 工 程 师 用 手 中 的 万 事 达 （Mastercard）信用卡轻轻一刷，购买了0.25枚以太坊。他既没有登录加密货币交易平台Binance 或Coinbase，也无需复制粘贴复杂的钱包地址，只是在一个名叫Swapper Finance（兑换者金融） 的小程 ...

Core Insights - Mastercard is transforming the payment landscape by enabling users to purchase cryptocurrencies directly using their credit cards through a new service called Swapper Finance, in partnership with Chainlink [1][2][3] - This collaboration signifies a shift where traditional payment networks are integrating decentralized finance (DeFi) without dismantling existing compliance structures [1][5] Group 1: Strategic Partnerships - Mastercard has partnered with major cryptocurrency platforms like MetaMask, Crypto.com, and Kraken, allowing users to spend stablecoins at 150 million merchants globally [2][3] - The partnership with Chainlink aims to provide a secure bridge between off-chain data and on-chain smart contracts, facilitating seamless transactions [3][4] Group 2: User Experience and Accessibility - Users can now purchase cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins directly from decentralized exchanges (DEX) using their Mastercard, simplifying the process that previously required multiple steps [3][6] - The new system allows for a straightforward transaction process: input card number, select amount, and confirm payment, making it accessible to a broader audience [7][8] Group 3: Regulatory and Compliance Framework - The collaboration emphasizes compliance, consumer protection, and transparency, ensuring that on-chain activities are visible and off-chain identities are compliant [6][9] - The integration of stablecoins into mainstream payment channels represents a significant step towards bridging traditional finance and decentralized finance [5][10] Group 4: Future Implications - The partnership may signal a new era in digital currency competition, focusing on ecosystem connectivity rather than just payment efficiency [9] - The evolving landscape suggests a potential hybrid financial ecosystem where traditional financial services leverage blockchain technology for enhanced functionality [10]

Core Insights - Mastercard is a leading corporate giant with a market cap of nearly $500 billion, ranking as the 16th-largest American company by market cap, surpassing major financial institutions like Bank of America and American Express [1] Business Model - Mastercard operates a payment processing business model, acting as a middleman that facilitates transactions between merchants, cardholders, and card-issuing institutions, charging fees for network usage [3] - The company generated $29 billion in revenue over the last 12 months, reflecting a 12% increase from $26 billion the previous year, driven by growing global payment volumes and a shift towards cashless transactions, particularly in emerging markets [4] Financial Performance - Mastercard's operating margin has improved from 53% to 58% over the last decade, with net income rising from $3.7 billion to over $13.1 billion, benefiting from economies of scale [5] - The stock has delivered a total return of 518% over the past 10 years, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's total return of 246% during the same period [7] Shareholder Value Initiatives - The company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, yielding 0.55%, and has announced a $12 billion share repurchase plan to enhance shareholder value by reducing outstanding shares [8] - Mastercard generated $14.3 billion in free cash flow over the last 12 months, equating to $15.53 per share, supporting its dividend and buyback initiatives [9]

Core Insights - MasterCard is recognized as a dominant player in the traditional payments sector, known for its credit and debit card services, extensive scale, and global trust [1] Group 1: Company Overview - MasterCard is synonymous with credit and debit cards, indicating its strong brand presence in the payment industry [1] - The company operates on a significant scale, which contributes to its competitive advantage [1] - MasterCard has established a reputation for global trust among consumers and businesses alike [1] Group 2: Investment Focus - The analysis emphasizes the importance of identifying high-yield investment opportunities for individual investors [2] - The insights provided aim to simplify complex investment concepts, making them accessible for better decision-making [2] - The research is designed to support investors in achieving improved returns through expert analysis [2]

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The news team covers medium and small-cap markets, as well as blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - Proactive has bureaus and studios in key finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2][3] Group 2 - The company is a forward-looking technology adopter, utilizing various technologies to enhance workflows [4] - Proactive employs automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Group 1 - Mastercard is well-positioned to handle potential disruptions from stablecoins, with limited immediate threats to its core business despite major retailers considering their own stablecoins [1][8] - Stablecoins offer benefits like faster settlement and lower transaction costs, but lack consumer advantages such as credit access, fraud protection, and rewards, where Mastercard excels [2][8] - Mastercard is actively innovating by introducing initiatives like the Multi-Token Network and piloting USDC settlements to integrate blockchain technology into its payment systems [3][8] Group 2 - Historical technological shifts, such as mobile wallets, have complemented traditional card networks, suggesting a similar outcome may occur with stablecoins [4] - There are potential revenue risks if merchant-led stablecoin platforms gain traction faster than expected, particularly in high-fee or cross-border segments [4][5] - Overall, Mastercard's proactive innovation strategy and established consumer advantages indicate a likelihood of adapting and thriving alongside emerging technologies [5] Group 3 - Mastercard shares have increased by 3% year to date, outperforming the broader industry's decline of 0.1% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 31.42X, which is higher than the industry average, and carries a Value Score of D [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.5% rise in Mastercard's fiscal 2025 earnings year over year, followed by a 16.7% growth in the subsequent year [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mastercard reported strong financial performance with a 25% adjusted EPS CAGR on a currency neutral basis for the three years ending 2024 [46] - The company achieved an 18% currency neutral adjusted net revenue CAGR for the same period [46] - In 2024, Mastercard returned $13.5 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends, totaling over $90 billion since its IPO in 2006 [47] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Services accounted for close to 40% of net revenue in 2022, reflecting a healthy growth pace [37] - The company processed over 159 billion transactions, growing both volumes and transactions by 11% on a local currency basis [45] - Mastercard issued over 3.5 billion cards and had approximately 150 million acceptance points globally [45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Mastercard generates around 70% of its net revenue outside the United States, indicating strong international presence [33] - The company is expanding its domestic switching capabilities across China, enhancing its global acceptance [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Mastercard's strategy focuses on three key areas: consumer payments, commercial new payment flows, and value-added services and solutions, which are expected to drive growth [62] - The company emphasizes innovation and trust as core components of its competitive differentiation in the digital economy [38][42] - Mastercard is investing in stablecoin integration and partnerships to enhance its offerings in the digital asset space [56][57] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to geopolitical and macroeconomic changes while maintaining a diversified business model [62] - The company is optimistic about the growth potential in digital payments and the integration of stablecoins into mainstream finance [53][59] Other Important Information - The stockholder proposals for a racial equity audit report and a report on affirmative action risks were not approved [24] - Mastercard has been recognized as one of the most trusted companies in America by Forbes and Newsweek for 2025 [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does Mastercard approach executive compensation? - The primary objective of the compensation program is to attract, motivate, and retain executives, ensuring alignment with business strategy and performance metrics [51][52] Question: What are the opportunities and risks associated with stablecoins? - Stablecoins present exciting growth opportunities, and Mastercard is integrating them into its network to provide secure and reliable payment experiences [53][54][56] Question: Is Mastercard ready to adapt to a changing political environment? - Mastercard does not take political stances but operates to serve all geographies, respecting a range of political views grounded in goodwill and tolerance [60][61] Question: What will be the main growth drivers in the coming year? - Key growth drivers include consumer payments, commercial new payment flows, and value-added services, which are expected to fuel long-term growth [62]

Core Insights - The current economic cycle has led to a trend where companies are holding Bitcoin in their balance sheets to attract new investors, despite it being unrelated to their core operations [2] - The financial sector is experiencing a sell-off due to the belief that stablecoins will replace traditional payment processors, but long-term fundamentals suggest that established companies like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express will prevail [3][4] Group 1: Visa Inc. - Visa holds a significant market share of 39% in global transaction volume, positioning it favorably for future price action [7] - Institutional investors have increased their holdings in Visa by 9.6%, resulting in a $704 million stake, indicating strong institutional interest during market dips [8] - Mizuho analyst Dan Dolev upgraded Visa's rating to Outperform with a price target of $425, suggesting a potential net rally of up to 25.3% [9] Group 2: Mastercard Inc. - Mastercard, while having a smaller market share, remains a strong second option for investors, with a current price of $536.16 and a price target of $610, indicating a 25% upside potential [10][12] - Investors may view Mastercard as a "catch-up" play, providing a more stable investment compared to the riskier Visa [11] Group 3: American Express Company - American Express has the smallest share of transaction volumes but focuses on quality customers, making it a safer investment choice [13] - The company has seen a 12.9% decline in short interest, indicating that bears do not expect further declines, supported by its stable business model [15] - Voya Investment Management has diversified its investments by holding a $47.1 million stake in American Express, reflecting confidence in its stability during economic uncertainty [14]

Group 1 - Visa and Mastercard stocks dropped approximately 5% each due to fears that stablecoins could disrupt traditional payment networks following the U.S. Senate's approval of stablecoin legislation [2] - Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value against fiat currencies, integrating the U.S. dollar within the blockchain, which may enhance their acceptance as a payment method [3] - The new stablecoin legislation establishes a regulatory framework for dollar-linked digital tokens, requiring complete reserve backing, monthly audits, and compliance with anti-money laundering laws, potentially increasing legitimacy for cryptocurrencies [3] Group 2 - Merchants may prefer stablecoins for their ability to lower processing costs by avoiding traditional payment networks, with stablecoin payments finalizing almost instantly compared to credit card transactions that incur fees and delays [4] - Major retailers like Walmart and Amazon are exploring the issuance of their own stablecoins, which could lead to significant savings in interchange fees and enhance profitability [4] - Cross-border payments, a key revenue source for Visa and Mastercard, are particularly vulnerable to disruption by stablecoins due to their faster and more economical transaction capabilities [4] Group 3 - The transition to stablecoins will not be immediate, as credit cards remain integral to consumer behavior, offering convenience, access to credit, and loyalty rewards that stablecoins currently do not provide [5] - Regulatory uncertainties, user confidence, and infrastructure issues present barriers to the widespread adoption of stablecoins at this time [6] - Visa and Mastercard are actively exploring innovations in the stablecoin space, with Visa testing transactions in USDC and both networks seeking to modernize cross-border payments using blockchain technology [6]

Group 1 - Mastercard has enhanced its network services in Asia Pacific, allowing banks and fintech companies to onboard up to four times faster using Mastercard Cloud Edge [1][9] - The Mastercard Cloud Edge platform is available in various markets including India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, the United States, Canada, and select regions in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa [2] - The platform provides seamless, private network access, reduces reliance on legacy systems, and cuts infrastructure costs, while ensuring compliance with regional data storage regulations [3][9] Group 2 - The fintech sector is rapidly expanding, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, which is leveraging cloud computing to unlock significant value [4] - Mastercard's revenue from value-added services and solutions reported a 16% year-over-year growth in Q1 2025, indicating strong demand for its Cloud Edge services [4] - Competitors like Visa and PayPal are also benefiting from upgraded payment solutions, with Visa offering a comprehensive suite including real-time money movement and fraud prevention services [5][6][7] Group 3 - Mastercard shares have gained 26.5% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 25.7% [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 33.08, which is higher than the industry's 22.82 [10] - Earnings estimates for Mastercard have increased, with 2025 estimates rising 0.6% to $15.98 per share and 2026 estimates increasing 0.2% to $18.65 [11]