Mastercard Nears $2B Zerohash Acquisition to Bolster Crypto Infrastructure
Mastercard is finalizing a $1.5-$2 billion deal to acquire Zerohash, a Chicago-based crypto infrastructure firm founded in 2017. The move signals deepening institutional commitment to blockchain-based payments. Zerohash's API-driven solutions enable financial institutions to integrate crypto trading, stablecoin settlements, and tokenization—capabilities that would let Mastercard streamline cross-border transactions and custody services.
The acquisition aligns with Mastercard's recent experiments converting crypto to fiat at checkout. Control over Zerohash's backend technology could accelerate 24/7 settlement networks as demand grows for real-time digital asset liquidity. This WOULD mark the payment giant's most significant crypto play to date.