A digital asset
investment fund
Viska is an alternative investment fund based in Iceland that invests in digital assets.
Viska is an alternative investment fund based in Iceland that invests in digital assets.
In a major move toward modernizing how payments are processed, Mastercard is now enabling merchants to settle transactions in stablecoins like USDC. This functionality, developed through partnerships with Circle and Paxos, allows businesses to receive payments directly in digital dollars rather than converting from fiat currencies.
There was an announcement made via X by MasterCard News on 28.4.25.
This development is particularly important for global merchants. Stablecoin settlement provides faster and potentially cheaper cross-border payments while reducing reliance on traditional banking hours and systems. The initiative is being rolled out with support from payment processor Nuvei and could be a meaningful step toward stablecoins being used in real-world commerce.
To make spending stablecoins easier for everyday users, Mastercard has introduced end-to-end capabilities for wallet and card integration. Working with a range of crypto firms including MetaMask, Kraken, Binance, Bybit, and Crypto.com, Mastercard is helping bring stablecoins into traditional ´´point-of-sale´´ environments.
A recent partnership was also made with MetaMask as of 23.4.25. You can read the official announcement here
One notable development is the launch of a co-branded card with OKX (an exchange), which allows users to spend digital assets — including stablecoins — directly from their wallets at over 150 million merchants globally. This eliminates the friction of converting assets before use and makes stablecoins behave much more like traditional currencies in practice.
Last month, we wrote a detailed piece on the incentive structure of spending fiat currencies vs. Bitcoin. You can read the article here
Mastercard is also looking to streamline cross-border remittances through the use of stablecoins. With its "Crypto Credential" initiative, users can send and receive funds across borders more easily by using verified aliases instead of complex wallet addresses.
According to JP Morgan, ´´The world may be entering a period of de-globalization, but cross-border payments are on the rise. International transfers are expected to increase five percent per year until 2027.´´
The goal is to simplify user experience while enhancing trust and security. In regions where remittance services can be slow or expensive, stablecoins offer an efficient and cost-effective alternative.
Stablecoin Transaction Volume has exploded in recent months. Chart by Visa and Allium
We wrote a detailed article discussing many of the benefits of stablecoin usage within global commerce and cross-border remittances back in March. You can read further here
Mastercard’s integration of stablecoins is being implemented in coordination with key players in both the crypto and payments industries. In addition to Circle, Paxos, and Nuvei, Mastercard is actively working with wallet providers, crypto exchanges, and infrastructure companies to support this initiative.
These partnerships are able to help integrate stablecoins into the broader financial system by embedding them within familiar platforms and services that are already being used by consumers and businesses alike.
Mastercard’s stablecoin integration enhances the real-world utility of digital assets. Stablecoins are being positioned as tools for everyday transactions, cross-border payments, and merchant settlement.
The total stablecoin supply has never been higher, now at $242b — with Tether and Circle both continuing to dominate the market. Data via The Block, 2.5.25
Many of the above-mentioned catalysts shows that there is more confidence within regulated digital currencies, especially within the traditional financial system. By embedding stablecoins into its payment infrastructure, Mastercard is helping to shape the next phase of global financial services — one that includes blockchain-based assets in everyday financial flows.
Mastercard’s incorporation of stablecoin settlement, wallet connectivity, and remittance tools represents a meaningful step in modernizing payment systems. These updates support faster, more flexible transactions and help bring digital currencies closer to everyday use.
Stablecoins are becoming part of the global financial infrastructure — and Mastercard’s role in that process displays a growing relationship between the crypto industry and traditional finance.
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