Mastercard Adds Crypto Startups to Engagement Program

New participants, including US firms Domain Money and Uphold, to help payment giant accelerate innovation around digital asset tech

article-image

Source: Shutterstock

share
  • Mastercard says it “will continue to run up the patent numbers” in the growing digital assets space
  • Partnerships come a week after Mastercard revealed efforts to simplify for its partners the conversion from cryptocurrency to traditional fiat currency

Mastercard has added seven startups to its engagement program focused on supporting fast-growing digital assets, blockchain and cryptocurrency firms as the payment company continues its push in the space.

The companies – GK8, Domain Money, Mintable, SupraOracles, STACS, Taurus, and Uphold – will work with Mastercard to make it safer and easier for people and institutions to buy, spend and hold cryptocurrencies, the firm said.

Founders of these startups will specifically aim to address asset tokenization, data accuracy, digital security and seamless access between the traditional and digital economy. 

​​More than 260 startups have participated in the Start Path program since 2014. Though portfolio companies in the program had spanned areas such as payments, financial inclusion, data and cybersecurity, Mastercard expanded to digital asset firms in order to co-create and build new products and services within the industry.

The startups will use Mastercard’s program to connect with its ecosystem of banks, merchants, partners and digital players to help scale their technologies.

“We expect this space to be very dynamic and new technologies will continue to emerge,” a Mastercard spokesperson told Blockworks. “We will not only continue to run up the patent numbers in this space, but announcements such as our recent Start Path crypto track bring these innovative companies together to offer new solutions to each other and to the traditional ecosystem.”

The representative added that Mastercard, which has been engaging in the digital currency ecosystem since 2015, has already launched solutions such as Mastercard Provenance Solution for supply chain tracking and cross border solutions. It also invested in Ethereum software company ConsenSys in April. 

Mastercard is also open to working with central banks in all regions where we operate, the spokesperson said, and are in talks around the world about public and private central bank digital currency partnerships.

“As a multi-rail company, we believe blockchain based infrastructure can power the future of commerce and has many use-cases,” the spokesperson said. “…We’re open to working with partners in the digital assets ecosystem that follows our foundational principles to enable choice for consumers and businesses around the world.”

The news comes about a week after Mastercard announced last week that it was looking to simplify for its partners the conversion from cryptocurrency to traditional fiat currency. It was working with Evolve Bank & Trust and Metropolitan Commercial Bank to issue cards, as well as Paxos Trust Company and Circle to facilitate the conversion through fiat-backed stablecoins, Mastercard revealed at the time.

Gemini announced in April that Mastercard would serve as the exclusive card network for its bitcoin-back credit card.

“Financial services companies like Mastercard have to keep up with the speed of innovation to best serve their customers,” Barry Finkelstein, head of business development at Algorand, previously told Blockworks. “It’s promising to see financial companies, many of which have been around for decades or centuries, evolve to meet the needs of a shifting and expanding global economy.” 

Rival company Visa has also been involved in the crypto space. It reported during its earnings call on Tuesday that it now has partnerships with more than 50 crypto wallets and platforms on card programs, which have driven more than $1 billion in payments volume.

Want more investor-focused content on digital assets? Join us September 13th and 14th for the Digital Asset Summit (DAS) in NYC. Use code ARTICLE for $75 off your ticket. Buy it now.

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Cover Chart.png

Research

The tokenization wave has arrived for trading cards, with protocols like Collector Crypt and Phygitals leading the charge. By tapping into the same dopamine loops that made Pop Mart’s Labubu blind boxes a phenomenon, their gacha mechanics show how TCGs can thrive in a crypto-native setting. Yet with razor-thin margins, limited product differentiation, and hype-driven cycles, building a lasting moat is a challenge. In my latest report, I share insights from the Collector Crypt and Phygitals teams on the opportunities and risks shaping onchain TCGs and what comes next for them.

article-image

Our take on durability, valuation, and fundamental catalysts

by Carlos /
article-image

Acquisition of Copium Capital’s strategies strengthens Barter’s offering, but raises questions about solver concentration

article-image

The company says the acquisition strengthens its push to simplify DeFi for consumers

by Blockworks /
article-image

Cboe Futures Exchange aims to introduce long-dated crypto contracts under US regulatory oversight

by Blockworks /
article-image

Client engineers and coordinators earn far less than researchers, despite playing key roles in network stability

article-image

One of the new hires was formerly FTX’s global head of payments