在脸书（Facebook）首次公开募股仅数月后，亿万富翁、贝宝（PayPal）联合创始人彼得·蒂尔（Peter Thiel）便以每 股20美元的价格套现。但如今，这些股份的价值已飙升至当初的37倍，折合近150亿美元。图片来源：Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images 投资是一场风险与回报的博弈。若判断正确，你可能积累数十亿财富；若判断失误，一切都可能化 为乌有。 对于贝宝联合创始人彼得·蒂尔而言，成为脸书首位外部投资者无疑是一次极为成功的抉择——但他 或许会因抛售所持股份而心生懊悔。 这位科技企业家在2004年，即脸书创立仅数月时，首次投入50万美元，购入该公司10%的股份，彼 时公司估值约为490万美元。近十年后，在2012年5月该公司首次公开募股后，蒂尔决定套现。他出 售了约2010万股股票（占其所持股份的绝大部分），每股价格在19.27美元至20.69美元之间，当时 套现约4亿美元。 倘若他一直持有这些股票直至 今日 ，其价值将达到约147.6亿美元（截至撰写本文时，Meta的股价 为736美元），这一决策或许会让这位硅谷最精明的投资者之一感到遗憾。 ...

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 - The European Union is seeking to reduce its reliance on American payment systems like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal due to geopolitical tensions and trade wars [1][2] Group 1: Market Dependence - The European Central Bank (ECB) warns that the dominance of American payment providers poses risks to Europe, with over 60% of card payments in the Eurozone processed through Visa and Mastercard [2] - Thirteen EU member states rely almost entirely on Visa and Mastercard for card payments, highlighting the vulnerability of the European payment system to external shocks [2] - Even in countries like Germany, where local systems like Girocard exist, the influence of American companies remains significant, as services like PayPal and Apple Pay still depend on Visa and Mastercard [2] Group 2: Initiatives for Independence - In response to the risks posed by American payment providers, the ECB is working on developing a digital euro, although it may take several years to implement [3] - The European Payment Initiative aims to create a new payment system called "Wero," which is expected to facilitate user-to-user payments and online transactions, with a potential launch in late 2025 [3] - Partnerships have been established with banks in Germany, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands to support the development of "Wero," and EU regulations may require merchants to offer at least one European payment option [3] Group 3: Challenges and Opportunities - The main challenge lies in creating a competitive payment system that consumers are willing to adopt, as previous attempts like Giropay have failed [4] - Retailers are increasingly dissatisfied with the high fees charged by Visa and Mastercard, which may create an opportunity for a more cost-effective alternative payment system [4] - If the financial industry can develop a cheaper and lower-cost system, it could significantly disrupt the current market dynamics dominated by American providers [4]