Mastercard Nears Zerohash Deal as Competition Intensifies

Mastercard is nearing an acquisition of Zerohash, with a potential valuation between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, marking its most significant move into stablecoin infrastructure. This development occurs as global payments firms accelerate efforts to capitalize on blockchain-based settlement, driven by clearer regulatory standards in the US and Europe.

Zerohash provides API-driven tools enabling banks, fintechs, and brokerages to embed crypto trading, tokenization, and stablecoin transfers. The company already powers tokenized fund infrastructure for major entities like BlackRock's BUIDL and Franklin Templeton's BENJI Token. Mastercard seeks direct control over this infrastructure rather than a simple integration.

The potential deal follows competing interest in other stablecoin startups, like BVNK, and reflects a strategic shift by Mastercard toward building the plumbing for regulated blockchain payments, rather than focusing solely on consumer-facing wallets. This move is crucial as competitors like Visa and established players like JPMorgan (with Kynexis) advance on-chain settlement capabilities, pushing Mastercard to secure regulated infrastructure to remain competitive in scaling stablecoin markets like payroll and treasury.

(Source：BeInCrypto)