Mastercard to buy BVNK in $1.8B stablecoin push

Mastercard has agreed to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion, as it accelerates its push into blockchain-based payments.

The transaction includes up to $300 million in contingent payments and is aimed at enhancing Mastercard’s ability to connect traditional fiat systems with onchain payment rails.

“We expect that most financial institutions and fintechs will in time provide digital currency services,”

Said Mastercard chief product officer, Jorn Lambert.

BVNK provides infrastructure for businesses to send and receive payments across blockchain networks in more than 130 countries, focusing on cross-border transfers and stablecoin integration.

The acquisition follows growing institutional interest in stablecoins, with major firms like Visa and Citigroup previously investing in BVNK as part of its expansion.

The deal also comes after Coinbase walked away from a proposed $2 billion acquisition of BVNK in 2025, leaving Mastercard to secure the asset.

Industry figures have suggested stablecoins could reshape global payments within the next decade, reinforcing the strategic importance of the acquisition.

The move highlights increasing competition among traditional payment giants to integrate stablecoins and blockchain technology into mainstream financial infrastructure.