Mastercard Partners MoonPay for Global Stablecoin Payments

Mastercard has recently announced a strategic partnership with MoonPay, aimed at integrating stablecoins into everyday transactions. This collaboration will enable stablecoin payments at up to 150 million merchants globally, marking a significant step towards the mainstream adoption of digital currencies. The new line of branded payment cards will facilitate the use of stablecoins for both individuals and businesses, providing a seamless conversion from stablecoins to fiat currency at the point of sale.

The partnership leverages MoonPay’s recent acquisition of Iron, a stablecoin payment firm, which occurred in March 2025. Iron’s infrastructure will serve as the technological backbone for these new cards, ensuring real-time crypto-to-fiat conversion. This development is part of Mastercard’s broader strategy to expand its blockchain-based payment networks, following earlier collaborations with crypto exchange OKX, payments processor Nuvei, and USD Coin (USDC) issuer Circle in April 2025.

The new stablecoin card initiative is designed to remove volatility from the merchant’s experience, making stablecoins a viable option for everyday transactions. MoonPay will manage the crypto-to-fiat conversion process, while Mastercard will provide the global payments reach, ensuring that the cards can be used across various regions. This move aligns with Mastercard’s ongoing efforts to scale its digital payment solutions and adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape.

The announcement comes as traditional payment processors increasingly explore the digital asset sector, particularly focusing on stablecoins. This trend is driven by ongoing regulatory developments and the growing demand for digital payment solutions. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s recent guidance, which suggests that some stablecoins may not qualify as securities, has also contributed to a more favorable regulatory environment for stablecoin adoption.

Mastercard’s partnership with MoonPay is part of a series of blockchain-related deals announced in April 2025. These include collaborations with OKX to launch a crypto card and with Nuvei and Circle to develop merchant acceptance solutions for USDC payments. The rollout of the stablecoin cards coincides with Visa’s stablecoin transaction pilot across six Latin American countries, highlighting the competitive dynamics in the digital payments space.

The new stablecoin cards are set to support retail transactions across various regions, with MoonPay handling the crypto-to-fiat conversion and Mastercard delivering the global payments reach. This initiative is expected to boost the adoption of stablecoins and USDC, making digital currencies more accessible to a broader range of consumers and merchants. The seamless integration of stablecoins into traditional retail systems is a significant milestone in the evolution of digital payments, paving the way for wider acceptance and use of cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions.