In a significant move reflecting the growing convergence of traditional finance and the digital currency sector, Mastercard is reportedly nearing an acquisition of zerohash, a startup specializing in crypto and stablecoin infrastructure. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that the deal, possibly valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, is in its final stages but carries the caveat that it could still be derailed before completion.
While neither Mastercard nor zerohash has confirmed the rumors directly, zerohash stated in an email that they do not comment on speculation regarding their business activities. Mastercard similarly refrained from making any public statements about the potential acquisition.
Zerohash has positioned itself as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem, assisting companies with stablecoins, crypto trading platforms, and application programming interfaces (APIs) designed for tokenization. Recent funding successes illustrate the company’s rapid growth trajectory. On September 22, zerohash announced it had secured $104 million in a Series D-2 funding round intended to accelerate product development and bolster its workforce. The funding follows a noticeable increase in demand for enterprise-level on-chain infrastructure, fueled by a rise in consumer adoption and greater regulatory clarity in both the U.S. and Europe.
Edward Woodford, Founder and CEO of zerohash, emphasized his company’s robust foundation and growth in a statement accompanying the funding announcement. He expressed pride in the trust established with their investors and clients and asserted that concepts like crypto and stablecoins are now an undeniable reality integral to the financial landscape.
In other updates, zerohash is expanding its influence through strategic partnerships. On September 23, it was reported that zerohash had collaborated with Morgan Stanley to empower its online trading platform, E-Trade, with capabilities for cryptocurrency trading, set to launch in the first half of 2026. This initiative will initially focus on allowing users to trade prominent cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, and solana.
Additionally, on October 3, zerohash revealed it would enable cryptocurrency trading and custody services for OnePay, a financial app majority-owned by Walmart. These upcoming features are expected to provide users access to bitcoin and ether by the end of this year.
Furthermore, competitive dynamics in the crypto sector are heating up. On October 9, reports indicated that Mastercard, along with the crypto exchange Coinbase, was pursuing the acquisition of BVNK, a fintech firm noted for its expertise in stablecoin payment infrastructure. BVNK’s technology aims to empower businesses to facilitate payments using stablecoins, marking another intersection between digital currency innovation and traditional financial operations.
As these negotiations unfold, the outcome could significantly shape the landscape of both the payments industry and the broader cryptocurrency realm.
