Mastercard Partners Chainlink for On-Chain Crypto Payments

Coin WorldThursday, Jun 26, 2025 12:20 am ET
1min read

Mastercard and

have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to enable on-chain crypto payments for Mastercard’s 3 billion cardholders globally. This initiative aims to eliminate structural barriers that have traditionally hindered user access to digital assets, by providing a seamless and secure transaction process that operates entirely on-chain.

The infrastructure supporting this initiative includes a broad alliance of partners, each contributing a critical component. Chainlink provides decentralized

technology to connect on-chain and off-chain data. Zerohash ensures regulatory compliance, custody, and fiat-to-crypto conversions. Swapper Finance offers the user interface, integrating XSwap, a Chainlink-affiliated decentralized exchange. handles traditional card payment processing, and delivers on-chain liquidity for real-time asset swaps. Together, these partners deliver a unified experience where users can purchase cryptocurrencies directly using , without leaving the blockchain environment.

Chainlink described the integration as a vital leap forward, stating that it removes longstanding barriers that prevented users from accessing the on-chain economy. Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President of Blockchain and Digital Assets at Mastercard, emphasized the growing demand for easy access to the digital asset ecosystem. He noted that Mastercard's expertise and

network are being leveraged to bridge the gap between on-chain commerce and off-chain transactions. By partnering with Chainlink, Mastercard aims to unlock a secure and innovative way to revolutionize on-chain commerce and drive the broader adoption of crypto assets.

This development reflects a strategic shift for Mastercard, marking a transition from simple co-branded crypto cards to full-on-chain utility. Instead of simply allowing users to spend pre-owned crypto, Mastercard is now enabling native blockchain purchases through decentralized protocols such as Uniswap, bringing the crypto experience closer to mass-market usability. This seamless integration of blockchain technology and traditional payment networks marks a new chapter in decentralized finance. With crypto adoption accelerating, Mastercard's on-chain strategy, backed by Chainlink’s decentralized architecture, could define a new gold standard for digital payments.

As Mastercard lays the groundwork for direct DeFi access, questions arise about potential disruptions to centralized crypto exchanges and regulatory scrutiny. The infrastructure is now live and functional, setting a precedent for hybrid financial ecosystems in the coming years. This initiative builds on Mastercard’s broader crypto ambitions, including recent partnerships to launch a crypto card in Europe and the UK. The collaboration between Mastercard and Chainlink is expected to accelerate the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, making them more accessible to a broader audience.