Mastercard to Acquire BVNK in $1.8 Billion Deal to Expand Stablecoin and Blockchain Payments
The agreement, announced March 17, includes up to $300 million in contingent payments and is expected to close before the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
The acquisition centers on linking traditional financial systems with so-called on-chain payments. BVNK, founded in 2021, builds infrastructure that allows businesses to send and receive payments using stablecoins across more than 130 countries. Its technology is designed to bridge fiat currencies and blockchain networks, an area Mastercard has been investing in as digital currencies gain traction.
Digital asset payments are still relatively new but growing quickly. Volumes reached at least $350 billion in 2025, according to the company. Financial institutions and fintech firms are increasingly exploring ways to integrate stablecoins and tokenized deposits into their services, especially as regulatory frameworks become clearer in several markets.
Mastercard said the deal will help expand its ability to support different types of transactions, from cross-border remittances to peer-to-peer and business payments.
