Mastercard Bolsters Blockchain Payments with Stablecoin Acquisition

Mastercard's acquisition of BVNK marks a significant move into blockchain-based payments, as large payment companies seek to build stablecoin rails.

The deal is worth up to US$1.8 billion, with US$1.5 billion paid upfront and an additional US$300 million tied to performance targets.

BVNK provides businesses with tools for sending, receiving, storing, and converting stablecoins in over 130 countries, processing more than US$30 billion in stablecoin payments in 2025.

Analysts suggest that stablecoins are likely to grow fastest in areas where card networks are less dominant, such as business-to-business payments, cross-border transfers, and payouts for creators and gig workers.