Mastercard Launches Crypto Partner Program with 85 Firms to Expand Blockchain Payments

Highlights:

• Mastercard has launched a new crypto partner program to connect payments with global financial infrastructure.
• The program will explore business payments and global payouts using blockchain tools.
• More than 85 companies joined the program to test digital asset payments within existing financial systems.

Mastercard has introduced a Crypto Partner Program that brings together more than 85 companies from the digital asset industry. Some of the participating companies in the blockchain industry include Binance, Circle, Ripple, Gemini, PayPal, and Paxos. The group also includes banks, fintech companies, and blockchain developers. Mastercard said these firms will work together on payment products that combine blockchain tools with traditional networks.

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We’re excited to collaborate with partners across the ecosystem to help align innovation while supporting consistent standards and responsible growth.

Learn more about the program: https://t.co/uzjviDUxJB

— Mastercard (@Mastercard) March 11, 2026

The collaboration focuses on payment activity already taking place across international markets. Partners will examine cross-border transfers, remittances, business payments, and global payouts. They will also study how blockchain networks can support transaction settlement.

Mastercard said the companies will work directly with its teams during product development. The program will include working sessions where participants discuss technical requirements and payment operations. Those sessions will allow companies to test how blockchain payments interact with existing financial systems. Participants will also gain access to Mastercard’s network of banks and merchants.

Mastercard said the program aims to move digital asset technology into practical payment activity. Companies must design products that operate within financial regulations and industry standards. Banks and financial institutions have begun testing blockchain tools to process payments and move funds across borders.

Mastercard Launches Framework for Integrating On-Chain Systems Into Commerce

Mastercard said digital asset payments must work with current financial systems to reach global scale. The company operates a payment network that connects banks, merchants, and consumers. The network processes transactions in more than 200 countries and territories.

Polygon is proud to be chosen for Mastercard's Crypto Partner Program, connecting our onchain infrastructure to trusted, global payments.

We're moving the global financial system onchain. pic.twitter.com/g2XtOSr3RW

— Polygon | POL (@0xPolygon) March 11, 2026

The company believes blockchain payment systems must interact with that infrastructure. Payments require networks that function across borders and financial institutions. Blockchain technology allows transactions to settle quickly and at any time. Traditional banking systems often process transfers during fixed settlement periods.

Blockchain networks also support programmable payments. Companies can set conditions that trigger automatic payment execution. Developers also use blockchain systems to create tokenized assets. These digital tokens represent ownership or value within financial platforms.

However, payment networks require reliability and regulatory compliance. Mastercard said payment systems must meet these standards before large institutions adopt them widely. Through the Crypto Partner Program, companies will test how blockchain systems interact with existing payment rails. Participants will measure transaction speed, operational stability, and system compatibility.

Crypto Partner Program Extends Mastercard’s Expanding Digital Asset Strategy

The Crypto Partner Program builds on several digital asset initiatives developed by Mastercard. The company previously launched a blockchain track within its Start Path accelerator. The program supports startups that build financial infrastructure and blockchain payment tools.

Mastercard also operates the Engage platform, which includes a Crypto Card program. The program allows fintech firms to issue payment cards connected to digital assets. MetaMask later introduced a self-custodial payment card through a partnership with Mastercard. Users keep control of their digital assets until they complete a purchase.

The card works anywhere Mastercard payments are accepted. Users can spend digital assets through standard payment terminals. SoFi also announced plans to offer its SoFiUSD stablecoin as a settlement option within Mastercard’s network. Issuing banks could use the dollar-backed token to settle card transactions.

Today, SoFi and @Mastercard announced an enhanced partnership to enable SoFiUSD as a settlement option across Mastercard’s global payments network.

“SoFiUSD as a settlement currency across Mastercard’s network enables issuers and acquirers to help millions of businesses…

— SoFi (@SoFi) March 3, 2026

Reports also indicated that Mastercard examined the acquisition of a crypto infrastructure company, Zerohash. The proposed deal could reach $2 billion. Visa and several banks have also tested blockchain payment systems and tokenized financial infrastructure.

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