Share this article
Mastercard Plans Web3 Collaborations With Self-Custody Wallet Firms
The payments processor is working with MetaMask and Ledger among others, according to a Web3 Workshop presentation.
Oct 24, 2023, 3:32 p.m.
Make us preferred on Google
Payments giant Mastercard is exploring how best to collaborate with self-custody wallet firms like MetaMask and Ledger, according to a Web3 strategy workshop report seen by CoinDesk.
Mastercard pointed out in a presentation deck that having a payments card helps wallet providers increase the number of active users and build loyalty and other revenue streams while giving cardholders the opportunity to spend their crypto balance in a frictionless way.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
But wallet firms face significant demands on resources when introducing a card in a new region, which is where Mastercard and its issuance partners come in. The 57-year-old payments technology firm also said it is evaluating “new models for global issuance using stablecoin on chain settlement” and “inexpensive fast chains,” according to the deck.
“Mastercard is bringing its trusted and transparent approach to the digital assets space through a range of innovative products and solutions – including the Mastercard Multi-Token Network, Crypto Credential, CBDC Partner Program, and new card programs that connect Web2 and Web3," a Mastercard spokesperson said via email.
Large credit card networks are moving ahead with crypto despite tough market conditions and regulatory uncertainty in places like the U.S. Earlier this year, Mastercard made clear its Engage program will focus on bringing new crypto card programs to market. Visa, meanwhile, has been working with stablecoin USDC and the Solana blockchain for cross-border payments and exploring ways to smooth out wrinkles like paying Ethereum gas fees.
Mastercard will release a set of franchise standards, or rules for partner firms, to ensure consumer protection, price competition and transaction monitoring requirements, according to the deck. The company’s acquisition of CipherTrace back in 2021 means the blockchain analytics specialist is on hand to provide monitoring services.
Once the proposed standards are validated, the next step would be to issue a card targeting the EU or U.K. as a first market, Mastercard said in its presentation deck.
“Users want a simple solution – seamless transactions without pre-funding, without spending crypto and without having to deal with taxes,” it said.
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
Spacecoin launches SPACE token just days after partnering with Trump family-linked DeFi project
The project aims to create a decentralized satellite internet network, with the initial satellites, CTC-0 and CTC-1, already demonstrating blockchain-based communication from space.
What to know:
- Spacecoin has launched its SPACE token on multiple centralized and decentralized exchanges, including Binance, Kraken, and Uniswap.
- The project aims to create a decentralized satellite internet network, with the initial satellites, CTC-0 and CTC-1, already demonstrating blockchain-based communication from space.
- Spacecoin recently partnered with World Liberty Finance to connect its stablecoin infrastructure and provide internet access in underserved regions, while the SPACE token enables trading, staking, and governance participation.
Top Stories
