Visa Allegedly Makes a Bid to Unseat Mastercard as Apple Card's Partner

Core Insights - Visa is attempting to acquire the Apple Card from its current network, Mastercard, by offering Apple $100 million [1] - This move comes as Apple seeks a new card issuer amid its ongoing separation from Goldman Sachs, which may end its relationship before the contract's expiration in 2030 [2] - Apple is in discussions with other potential issuers, including Barclays, Synchrony Financial, and Chase, while also considering the payment network before finalizing an issuer [3] Industry Dynamics - The competition among payment networks and card issuers is intensifying, driven by Apple's strong brand recognition and the desire to expand consumer bases in light of competition from Buy Now Pay Later apps [4] - The transition from Mastercard to Visa may not significantly impact current Apple Card holders, as both networks are widely accepted and operate primarily on the backend [5] - A new issuer could potentially enhance rewards and perks for Apple Card holders, addressing current limitations in customer satisfaction despite the card's high ratings [6]