Reuters - Mastercard said on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) it will acquire stablecoin payments infrastructure firm BVNK for up to $1.8 billion, as the payments giant accelerates its push into blockchain-based transfers.
Growing regulatory clarity and rising adoption of stablecoins are opening the door for card networks to expand beyond traditional card payments into faster, lower-cost digital transaction systems. Mastercard and rival Visa are now racing to secure an early advantage in this rapidly evolving space.
Mastercard said the deal will allow its users to conduct cross-border remittances, business payments, and payouts using stablecoins, offering advantages in speed, cost efficiency, and accessibility.
"BVNK has spent the last seven years building not just the technology, but also obtaining licenses in multiple geographies," said Mastercard's chief product officer, Jorn Lambert, on a conference call.
The deal includes $300 million in contingent payments and is expected to close before the end of 2026.
Founded in 2021, BVNK focuses on building infrastructure that bridges fiat currencies and stablecoins. Its platform enables businesses to send and receive payments across all major blockchain networks in more than 130 countries.
The acquisition builds on Mastercard’s wider expansion into digital assets, including its Crypto Partner Program, as it works to integrate blockchain-based payments into its global network and broaden its addressable market.
