By Prakhar Srivastava and Arasu Kannagi Basil March 17 (Reuters) - Mastercard said on Tuesday it would buy stablecoin payments infrastructure firm BVNK for up ‌to $1.8 billion, as the card giant deepens its push into blockchain-based ‌transfers. Increasing regulatory clarity and broader usage of stablecoins have created opportunities for card networks to expand ​beyond traditional cards into faster, lower-cost digital payment systems. Mastercard and rival Visa are competing to establish an early lead in ...

Core Insights - Mastercard Incorporated (MA) is enhancing its involvement in the digital asset ecosystem through the launch of a new Crypto Partner Program, which includes over 85 companies from the crypto, fintech, and payments sectors [1][9] - The initiative aims to create a collaborative environment for industry players to share insights and contribute to the development of blockchain-based financial solutions [1][2] Digital Asset Utilization - Digital assets are transitioning from speculative investments to practical applications, with increasing use in cross-border remittances, B2B payments, settlements, and payouts [2] - Mastercard's initiative positions the company as a facilitator of dialogue among crypto-focused companies, financial institutions, and payment providers [2] Program Focus and Integration - The Crypto Partner Program emphasizes integration rather than disruption, allowing participants to collaborate with Mastercard to explore solutions that merge on-chain technology with established payment networks [3] - The goal is to transform blockchain innovations into scalable and compliant solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into everyday commerce [3] Strategic Positioning - This initiative aligns with Mastercard's strategy of connecting new technologies with traditional financial systems, potentially increasing transaction volumes and enhancing its competitive edge against other global payment networks [4] - If blockchain-based payments gain traction, Mastercard's collaborative approach could lead to increased transaction activity and stronger fintech partnerships, positioning the company for a significant role in the future of digital commerce [5] Competitive Landscape - Competitors such as Visa Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc. are also advancing their on-chain strategies, with Visa focusing on stablecoin settlements and crypto-linked cards, while PayPal is expanding its dollar-backed stablecoin across multiple blockchains [6][7] Financial Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Mastercard's shares have decreased by 5.7%, compared to a 19.1% decline in the industry [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24.88, which is above the industry average of 17.83, and holds a Value Score of D [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard's 2026 earnings suggests a growth of 14% compared to the previous year [12]

Core Insights - Mastercard has launched a new "Crypto Partner Program" aimed at collaborating with over 85 crypto companies and payment providers, marking a significant move into the cryptocurrency space [2][3] - The program emphasizes practical execution, focusing on translating technical innovations into scalable and compliant use cases that can integrate into everyday commerce [4] - The timing of this initiative aligns with recent regulatory developments, including the GENESIS Act and the potential CLARITY Act, which create frameworks for stablecoin and broader crypto regulations [5] Company Initiatives - The Crypto Partner Program is described as a global initiative that includes partnerships with both well-known crypto firms like Binance and Circle, as well as lesser-known entities such as Cosmos and Optimism [3] - Mastercard acknowledges its limited experience in "building on-chain" solutions, indicating a willingness to learn and collaborate with crypto-native companies [3] Industry Context - The cryptocurrency market has experienced a period of stagnation, with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies trading sideways for over thirty days, making it a strategic time for major companies like Mastercard to announce new initiatives [2] - Other financial institutions, such as Wells Fargo, are also entering the stablecoin market, indicating a growing trend among traditional finance players to engage with cryptocurrency [6]

LATEST: 💳 Mastercard has launched its "Crypto Partner Program," bringing together over 85 firms to collaborate on blockchain and digital asset services. https://t.co/gpwmdO7K2k ...

Mastercard Recruits Binance, Ripple and PayPal for Crypto Partner Programhttps://t.co/6JuZFY7Y6w ...

Core Insights - Mastercard has launched the Crypto Partner Program, a global initiative that unites over 85 crypto-native companies, payment providers, and financial institutions, indicating a shift towards practical applications of digital assets beyond speculation [1] - The program includes partnerships with major players in the crypto industry, such as Binance, Crypto.com, Bybit, Gemini, Ripple, Circle, MoonPay, and PayPal, showcasing the breadth of collaboration [2] - Additional partners include blockchain networks like Solana, Avalanche, Aptos, and Polygon, as well as firms like Anchorage Digital, Nexo, Paxos, and SoFi, along with crypto analytics firms like Elliptic and TRM Labs [3] - The initiative aims to integrate on-chain innovation with Mastercard's established global payments infrastructure, enhancing everyday commerce through digital asset solutions [4]

Mastercard's Crypto Partner Program is live, connecting onchain infrastructure to global payments.Polygon is helping shape that ecosystem, backed by trillions in onchain stablecoin volume and six years of production infrastructure.For Polygon, this program means bringing our onchain payments infrastructure closer to Mastercard's global network. We're connecting with more enterprises, banks, and merchants, so digital assets work for real people, at global scale.Proud to join @Mastercard in turning onchain in ...

RT Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine)JUST IN: Mastercard launches new "Crypto Partner Program" to focus on cross border transfers, B2B payments, and global payouts using digital assets 🚀 https://t.co/u3PIuOxM8z ...

JUST IN: Mastercard launches new "Crypto Partner Program" to focus on cross border transfers, B2B payments, and global payouts using digital assets 🚀 https://t.co/u3PIuOxM8z ...