Mastercard is unleashing stablecoin utility worldwide, enabling real-time crypto-to-fiat spending at 150 million locations through its partnership with Moonpay and API-powered cards.
Mastercard Unlocks Stablecoin Spending at 150 Million Places via Moonpay
Mastercard and Moonpay announced on May 15 a global partnership designed to integrate stablecoins into everyday transactions through a new line of branded payment cards. The initiative allows fintechs and enterprises to issue Mastercard-branded cards that connect directly to users’ digital asset balances. As outlined in the announcement:
Enterprises and fintechs will be able to leverage Mastercard branded cards linked to users’ stablecoin balances, empowering cardholders to spend their stablecoins, which will simultaneously be converted to fiat currency, at more than 150 million locations where Mastercard is accepted worldwide.
The collaboration draws on infrastructure from Iron, acquired by Moonpay in March, to provide an API-driven system that supports seamless, real-time stablecoin conversions and payments. These tools enable businesses, neobanks, and other financial players to facilitate global payouts, disbursements, and cross-border transactions more efficiently.
Scott Abrahams, executive vice president of global partnerships at Mastercard, explained: “By providing solutions that unlock stablecoin utility and ubiquity, we are redefining how money moves globally and driving a shift in payments as we know it. Together with Moonpay, we’re building innovative and secure connectivity between crypto and mainstream finance ecosystems, grounded by trust and driven by scale.”
Moonpay’s integration across more than 500 crypto platforms offers access to over 100 million users, positioning the company to help deploy these new cards globally. With 20 million crypto wallets making monthly stablecoin transactions and 120 million holding stablecoin balances, the companies are responding to growing demand for reliable, real-world spending solutions powered by digital assets. The partnership represents a significant step toward mainstreaming crypto payments within the traditional financial system.
Last month, Mastercard advanced its stablecoin ambitions through key partnerships with OKX and Nuvei, initiating a holistic model where consumers can easily spend and merchants can directly accept stablecoins. With growing regulatory clarity globally, stablecoins are transitioning into mainstream financial tools, streamlining remittances, disbursements, and payments. Mastercard’s integrated framework spans wallet enablement, card issuing, and acceptance, engaging partners such as Binance, Kraken, and Crypto.com to bridge crypto and traditional finance.
