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Mastercard is acquiring crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash for up to $2 billion.
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The deal expands Mastercard’s reach into stablecoin and tokenization infrastructure.
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Zerohash provides back-end crypto services for banks and fintechs.
Major Acquisition Expands Mastercard’s Crypto Footprint
According to Fortune, Mastercard will acquire Chicago-based Zerohash in a deal worth up to $2 billion. The startup provides crypto trading, custody, and compliance tools that help financial institutions integrate blockchain products.
Building a Full Crypto Stack
Founded in 2017, Zerohash enables banks and brokerages to offer stablecoin payments and tokenized assets. Its previous $104 million Series D was led by Interactive Brokers with backing from Morgan Stanley and SoFi.
Strategic Expansion into Tokenization
The acquisition follows Mastercard’s growing involvement in stablecoins, including partnerships with Circle, Kraken, and Robinhood through the Global Dollar Consortium. The company aims to become a central player in global digital payment rails.
Competitive Landscape Heats Up
Earlier this month, Mastercard and Coinbase were reportedly in a bidding war to acquire BVNK, another stablecoin infrastructure firm. The Zerohash deal cements Mastercard’s shift from payment processor to digital asset infrastructure provider.
