Mastercard Launches Global Crypto Partner Program

Mastercard announced the launch of its global Crypto Partner Program on Wednesday, bringing together more than 85 companies from the digital asset and payments sectors to develop blockchain-based payment and settlement solutions. The initiative includes major players such as Binance, Ripple, Circle, Gemini, Paxos, PayPal, Polygon, Solana, Crypto.com, MoonPay and Fireblocks, aiming to integrate digital assets into Mastercard's vast payment infrastructure that connects banks, merchants and financial institutions worldwide.

The program creates a collaborative network where participants work with Mastercard to build practical applications for on-chain payments. Key focus areas include cross-border remittances, business-to-business transfers, high-volume payouts and commercial settlements. For instance, partners can develop crypto-linked payment cards that allow users to spend digital assets at merchants while settling in local fiat currency through Mastercard's rails. Other tools target enterprise needs, such as blockchain-enabled cross-border settlements using networks like Ripple's XRP Ledger for faster, lower-cost transfers.

Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard's executive vice president...