Mastercard has integrated the Stellar blockchain into the infrastructure of BVNK, a company it acquired for up to $1,8 billion. This platform handles approximately $30 billion in annualized stablecoin payment volume, serving clients such as Worldpay and Deel for cross-border settlements.
The acquisition process began on March 17, 2026, and concluded on August 3, 2026. The deal structure includes a base payment of $1,5 billion and up to $300 million in contingent payments. BVNK, founded in 2021, operates in over 130 countries and holds more than 25 regulatory licenses, including MiCA compliance.
Mastercard and Stellar previously collaborated in 2024 on the Crypto Credential project. Additionally, on September 9, 2026, BVNK announced a partnership with Marqeta to issue stablecoin-backed Mastercard cards for fintech companies across more than 40 countries.
