Mastercard(US:MA) Yahoo Finance·2025-10-30 00:21Core 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]