Mastercard Pursues Acquisition of Crypto Firm Zerohash Amid Digital Payments Race
Mastercard is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire Zerohash, a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider. Sources familiar with the matter say the deal could value Zerohash between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The talks highlight growing competition among global payments firms seeking to enhance their digital asset offerings.
Mastercard's Ongoing Stablecoin Expansion
The reported negotiations, first highlighted by Fortune, follow Mastercard's recent attempts to expand in stablecoin infrastructure. Earlier this year, the company explored a potential $2 billion acquisition of London-based stablecoin startup BVNK. However, Coinbase is now in exclusive talks to acquire BVNK after reportedly outbidding Mastercard.
Zerohash's Role in the Digital Asset Ecosystem
Zerohash provides an API-first infrastructure enabling banks, fintechs, and brokerages to embed crypto, stablecoins, and tokenization services into their platforms. According to data shared by the company in April, Zerohash handled over $2 billion in tokenized fund flows over four months. The firm supplies payment rails for digital asset funds, including BlackRock's BUIDL, Franklin Templeton's BENJI Token, and Hamilton Lane's HLPIF.
Regulatory Developments and Industry Response
Recent regulatory developments in the United States and Europe have prompted payment giants to accelerate their push into stablecoin services. In September, Mastercard expanded its stablecoin ecosystem across new blockchains, such as Avalanche and Aptos. Stripe launched Open Issuance, a stablecoin management tool, and revealed its plan to debut Tempo, an in-house blockchain built for stablecoin payments. Visa also confirmed on Wednesday that it would grow its stablecoin offerings to four new blockchains, though specific networks and tokens were not disclosed.
Outlook
The potential acquisition of Zerohash signals Mastercard�s continued focus on stablecoin technology and digital asset payments. As competition intensifies among major payments firms, further deals and developments in the sector are anticipated.
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