The financial world is undergoing a transformation, with digital assets increasingly becoming part of everyday life. In a bold step forward, Kima Finance has partnered with global payments giant Mastercard to introduce a revolutionary solution on Mastercard’s Sandbox-as-a-Service platform. This collaboration enables users to fund their prepaid cards directly from self-custodial crypto wallets effectively turning stablecoins into real-world purchasing power accepted at millions of merchants worldwide.
Kima’s integration into the Mastercard Innovation Lab represents a significant milestone in its mission to unify disparate financial systems. By replacing outdated intermediaries with cutting-edge peer-to-peer settlement technology, Kima allows seamless value transfers between blockchain networks and traditional banking infrastructures. This strategic alliance grants Kima access to Mastercard’s vast ecosystem of financial institutions, regulators, and technology innovators, fostering rapid adoption of blockchain-based solutions without compromising on security or regulatory compliance.
At the heart of this innovation lies Kima’s SDK, which empowers card issuers to support stablecoin top-ups, including popular options like USDC and USDT, across more than ten blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Tron. Users can now load funds onto their prepaid cards directly from their crypto wallets without needing to go through exchanges or cross-chain bridges. Once added, these funds are instantly spendable at over 200,000 ATMs and countless merchant locations globally. This initiative aligns perfectly with Mastercard’s broader vision of transforming stablecoins from speculative instruments into practical tools for daily transactions. The partnership delivers benefits such as real-time transaction processing with instant settlement, global accessibility spanning over 200 countries, built-in compliance mechanisms that meet AML and KYC requirements, and cost-effective operations for both card issuers and end-users.
One of the standout examples of this collaboration is Kima’s work with Pai, a leading issuer of prepaid cards. With Kima’s technology integrated into its platform, Pai customers can now enjoy cross-chain compatibility, enabling users to fund their cards using USDC or USDT from any supported blockchain; instant usability, with funds becoming available immediately after top-up for spending anywhere Mastercard is accepted; and lower transaction costs compared to conventional off-ramp methods. This partnership has not only expanded Pai’s customer base but also demonstrated the immense potential of stablecoins in reshaping mainstream finance.
The user experience is designed to be intuitive and efficient. The process begins when a user requests a card top-up via their card issuer’s mobile app, triggering a transaction request through Kima’s system. They then confirm the transaction directly from their self-custodial wallet, such as MetaMask. The funds settle in real time and are ready to be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Behind the scenes, Kima’s Universal Payment Rail (UPR) ensures secure, decentralized settlement by connecting crypto wallets directly to traditional financial systems—eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries.
This groundbreaking collaboration holds transformative implications for various stakeholders. For end users, it means spending cryptocurrency as effortlessly as traditional money, without the hassle of complex conversions or exposure to price volatility. For card issuers, it offers access to the rapidly growing $150 billion+ stablecoin market while significantly reducing operational overhead. For merchants, it enables acceptance of crypto-backed payments with confidence, knowing they receive stable, predictable value. By integrating decentralized finance with established payment rails, Kima and Mastercard are laying the foundation for a borderless, inclusive, and interoperable financial future.
Kima’s live demonstration within the Mastercard Sandbox marks just the beginning of what promises to be a wide-reaching impact. As stablecoins gain wider acceptance, this partnership opens doors for a multitude of applications from neobanking and remittance platforms to DeFi protocols and beyond. Envision payroll systems powered by stablecoins, near-instantaneous cross-border remittances, or loyalty programs redeemable anywhere all made possible by Kima’s robust infrastructure. The future of digital spending is no longer a distant dream it’s here, and it’s seamless, secure, and open to all.
