Mastercard’s Crypto Partnership Strategy Signals Major Shift in Digital Payment Infrastructure

Mastercard has launched a new crypto partner program with more than 85 industry leaders. These leaders represent payments providers, financial institutions, and crypto-native companies. The aim of these partnerships is to create a forum for dialogue and collaboration in on-chain payments, according to Mastercard.

The partners will work with Mastercard on the design of future products and services that combine the speed of digital assets with established card rails and global commerce reach. The partnerships will act as a bridge between on-chain innovation and the framework that already powers payments.

The more than 85 partners range from 1Money, Anchorage Digital, Aptos, Arc, Ava Labs, Axelar, and Baanx to Turnkey, Unlimit, Utila, Venly, WebBank, Worldpay, Yellow Card, and Zellic.

Mastercard’s earlier collaborations with digital assets includes its Start Path initiative that focused on blockchain and digital assets, and its Engage platform that features a Crypto Card program.

CoinLedger estimates some 562 million people around the world own cryptocurrency as of 2024, and 6.8% of the world’s population holds crypto assets. 

More than 7.2 million active crypto credit cards around the globe were held in 2024, according to Market Growth Reports.

Stablecoins comprise 30% of all on-chain crypto transaction volume, and its annual volume reached more than $4 trillion in August 2025, according to TRM.

Here’s something to consider. Mastercard’s payment network reaches more than 150 million merchant locations across the globe. If crypto adoption grows, crypto-linked cards could quickly follow suit. 

Of the more than 85 companies joining together with Mastercard as crypto partners, these four stand out. MoonPay, already a past partner with Mastercard, provides infrastructure allowing users to buy crypto with payment cards. MoonPay supports Mastercard cards linked to stablecoin balances that then converts the balances to fiat at checkout.

SoFi is working with Mastercard on a stablecoin settlement infrastructure that would allow card transactions to clear using a stablecoin behind the scenes. Chainlink is helping to connect payment cards to finance platforms. Doing so would allow cardholders to purchase crypto through on-chain services. 

Tap Global already offers a Mastercard-linked crypto card. This card converts digital assets into fiat for purchases. 

Where will Mastercard’s new partnership with more than 85 companies lead? It could mean more crypto-linked credit cards and debit cards. There may be hybrid bank accounts that combine fiat and digital assets. And it may make a bridge between crypto companies with digital assets and Mastercard’s payment network.

With more than 85 partners, there is much that can happen. Gathering the companies together is the first step.  

Mastercard is reaching out to the crypto world with new partnerships featuring more than 85 industry leaders. They include crypto-native companies as well as payments providers and financial institutions. The partners are seeking collaboration on on-chain payments and include MoonPay, SoFi, Chainlink, and Tap Global. 

Mastercard and its array of partners will be looking to use the speed of digital assets with Mastercard’s established card rails and global reach.

This is not Mastercard’s first foray into the crypto world. Earlier collaborations include its Start Path initiative that focused on blockchain and digital assets and its Engage platform that features a Crypto Card program.