Hybrid crypto-fiat platform Alchemy Pay announced Monday that the company would be launching virtual crypto-linked cards accepting more than 40 cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC). The new cards can be linked to Google Pay and PayPal digital wallets and make payments across the Mastercard and Visa networks, as well as popular e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay. According to the announcement, Alchemy Pay has already completed the product’s development and launched beta testing in multiple key markets. The firm expects to proceed with a full roll-out of the new product at the end of 2021 or early 2022. The …

Mastercard has been making headlines consistently as it ramps up efforts to offer crypto services across the globe. In a new partnership with CoinJar, Mastercard will enable the Australian market to spend cryptocurrencies within its fiat infrastructure. CoinJar’s blog post highlighted that the newly launched CoinJar Card will allow users to make purchases in crypto “wherever Mastercard is accepted.” The CoinJar Card will be made available for users through digital and physical cards and Apple Pay and Google Pay integration. According to the official announcement, the card supports 30 cryptocurrencies, including prominent ones, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and …

Traditional card networks are vying to ensure their services remain at the center of new developments in digital assets, whether they be central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) or private sector stablecoins. In an earnings call on Thursday, Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach discussed recent developments in crypto and CBDCs, making the pitch that the company was well-positioned to remain a linchpin of intra- and international value flows: "What we believe we do is bring a perspective to the market as a multi-rail payment provider. We have to be in this space because people are looking for answers." Mastercard has been highly …

International payments giant Mastercard continues focusing on the digital asset industry by welcoming a batch of major cryptocurrency startups in its fintech accelerator. The company announced Tuesday a new startup engagement program as part of Mastercard Start Path, an accelerator program for fintech startups, aiming to support companies working with digital assets, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The program has added seven new startups, including digital wallet and trading platform Uphold, crypto storage firm GK8, American investment platform Domain Money, blockchain oracle startup SupraOracles, blockchain infrastructure provider STACS, digital asset firm Taurus, and Mintable, a marketplace for issuing and trading nonfungible …

American fintech giant Mastercard has announced plans to revamp its crypto card program, to enable traditional banks and crypto companies to offer cards to its users for transacting with digital assets. According to the official statement: “Mastercard and its partners will test this new capability to enable more banks and crypto companies to offer a card option to people wanting to spend their digital assets anywhere Mastercard is accepted.” This effort involves Mastercard partnering with crypto businesses to involve “cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, making it simpler for partners to convert cryptocurrency to traditional fiat currency.” To allow exposure to cryptocurrency …

A survey by credit card giant Mastercard has revealed that four in ten people plan to use cryptocurrency for payments within the next year. The survey, published on May 4 and titled ‘Consumer Appetite for Digital Payments Takes Off’, polled more than 15,500 people across 18 countries. It revealed that millennials are especially engaged in cryptocurrencies, with over two-thirds, or 67%, agreeing they are more open to using cryptocurrency than they were a year ago. Additionally, it reported that 77% of millennials are interested in learning more about cryptocurrency, while 75% agree they would use digital assets if they understood …

Mastercard Start Path, an accelerator program for fintech startups, has welcomed six new companies innovating in the fields of software-as-a-service, transactions and blockchain-based payments. Asante Financial Services, Cledara, Jifti, Moeda Seeds, SpendDebt and Tippy were selected for being “fintech innovators” in these fields, Mastercard announced Monday. Moeda Seeds stands out as the sole blockchain company offering digital banking, payments and micro credits utilizing distributed ledger technology. “As the fintech landscape evolves at an unprecedented speed, Mastercard provides the infrastructure and assets to help fintech innovators grow and ultimately bring more people into the digital economy,” said Amy Neale, Mastercard’s senior …

As blockchain technology and the public's awareness of cryptocurrency continues to grow, a range of new use cases a coming to market and enhancing the efficacy of legacy financial systems. Despite its many applications, the original use case for Bitcoin (BTC) as a medium of exchange remains one of the most fundamental applications of blockchain technology and while BTC might not be the best asset to use for payments, there are service providers who have eased the process of settling transactions in other cryptocurrencies. For now, the most widely accepted way to use cryptocurrencies for direct payments in everyday life …

Leading payment technology provider Mastercard will help consumers directly offset carbon emissions and choose better products for the environment via its blockchain-based Provenance Solution. The system provides such granular detail that consumers can choose a more environmentally friendly cup of coffee, or a sustainable T-shirt, by interacting with the carbon credits directly related to that item, as represented by a nonfungible token and unique marker. Speaking on April 21 as part of the Australian Blockchain Week, Ashok Venkateswaran, Mastercard’s Head of Digital Assets and Blockchain APAC, discussed how the company is working to track the carbon footprint of its partners …

ConsenSys, a prominent blockchain software company, has raised $65 million in strategic investments from major financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard and UBS, offering yet another sign that traditional finance is entering the crypto space. The investment round will aid ConsenSys in expanding its enterprise blockchain infrastructure solutions to enable more decentralized finance and Web 3.0 applications on Ethereum, the company announced Tuesday. After a year of significant growth, ConsenSys is now focusing on accelerating mainstream adoption of Web 3.0, which is considered to be the next phase of the internet’s evolution. In addition to the major finance players, blockchain-focused …

E-commerce merchants can now transact in nearly 40 cryptocurrencies through global payment platform Nuvei. According to the announcement, merchants partnered with the payment provider can use an array of cryptocurrencies to send and receive payments across 200 countries, including top assets Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), lesser known cryptos such as Reddcoin and Bitcoin Gold, and even hyper-volatile coins like Dogecoin (DOGE). Nuvei’s customers can even use Ripple (XRP), despite the asset’s recent legal woes and subsequent delistings from major exchanges. Commenting on the launch, Nuvei’s CEO and chairman, Philip Fayer, described the firm’s support for crypto assets as “empower[ing] …

London-based cryptocurrency and fintech firm Wirex has announced that it will no longer take on new U.K.-based customers following discussions with the jurisdictional regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority. The decision to temporarily halt U.K. sign-ups was apparently voluntary, according to a press release posted by Wirex on March 24, however, it did follow hot on the heels of “constructive dialogue” with the FCA. From March 25 onwards, U.K. residents will no longer be allowed to sign up for Wirex’s services. Moving forward, Wirex will dedicate attention and resources to strengthening its 5AMLD (Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive) compliance protocols in line …