Mastercard announced a strategic partnership with MoonPay to launch new payment cards backed by stablecoins, marking a significant step towards integrating digital assets into the traditional financial system. 
What are Mastercard stablecoin cards?
These cards allow users to spend their balances of stablecoins like USDC at over 150 million retail locations worldwide that accept Mastercard. When making a purchase, stablecoins are automatically converted to the local currency, making the payment experience seamless for both the user and the merchant. 
How these cards work
These cards rely on the infrastructure provided by Iron, which was acquired by MoonPay in March 2025. This technology allows users to link their digital wallets directly to Mastercard, enabling them to make payments using stablecoins without the need for manual conversions. 
Benefits for users and businesses
• Ease of use: Users can spend stablecoins as easily as spending traditional money.
• Seamless conversions: Conversions from stablecoins to local currencies occur automatically during purchases.
• Global acceptance: These cards are accepted at over 150 million retail locations worldwide.
• Improved international transfers: These cards provide an effective and low-cost means for cross-border financial transfers. 
Impact on the Egyptian market
With the increasing use of digital currencies in Egypt, these cards can provide a new way for users to spend their digital assets easily and securely. However, the availability of this service in Egypt depends on local regulatory policies and the adoption of this technology by financial institutions.
