X @BSCN

Acquisition Details - Mastercard is considering acquiring ZeroHash for $15 billion to $2 billion [1] - ZeroHash previously raised $104 million at a $1 billion valuation in 2022 [2] ZeroHash's Business - ZeroHash provides infrastructure for stablecoins and crypto, including payments, crypto trading, and tokenization APIs [1] - ZeroHash's backers include Interactive Brokers, Apollo, Point72 Ventures, and Nyca [1] Strategic Rationale - Mastercard aims to secure stablecoin capabilities amid growing interest from global payments companies [3] - Blockchain settlement offers faster speeds and lower costs compared to traditional systems [3] - Stablecoins are evolving into core financial instruments for cross-border payments and settlements [4] Industry Context - Mastercard acquired CipherTrace in 2021 and joined a stablecoin consortium with Robinhood and Kraken [3] - Stripe acquired Bridge for $11 billion, and Coinbase held exclusive talks to buy BVNK [4]