Mastercard Nears $2 Billion Zerohash Acquisition to Bolster Stablecoin Infrastructure

Mastercard is in advanced discussions to acquire Zerohash, a crypto infrastructure startup, for an estimated $1.5 billion to $2 billion. The deal would significantly expand Mastercard's capabilities in stablecoin and tokenization services, positioning it alongside rivals like Visa and PayPal in the race to dominate blockchain-based payments.

Zerohash's API-first platform has become critical infrastructure for financial institutions, processing over $2 billion in tokenized fund flows earlier this year. Its technology powers BlackRock's BUIDL fund and other major tokenization projects, making it a strategic asset as traditional finance embraces blockchain.

The potential acquisition follows Mastercard's failed bid for London-based BVNK, which was ultimately acquired by Coinbase. Payment processors are aggressively expanding into crypto services following regulatory clarity in key markets, with stablecoins emerging as a focal point for institutional adoption.