Mastercard Launches 85+ Partner Program to Integrate Blockchain with Payments
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 11 2026
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Partner Program Launch: Mastercard has initiated the 85+ Partner Program, which aims to unite crypto exchanges, blockchain developers, fintech firms, and banks to explore how blockchain systems can connect with traditional payment rails, thereby driving practical applications of digital assets.
- Collaborative Product Development: Participants will work alongside Mastercard teams to develop products that combine on-chain tools with established payment systems, focusing on practical use cases such as cross-border transfers, B2B payments, and global payouts to meet the growing market demand.
- Market Integration Strategy: Mastercard emphasizes that collaboration is foundational for the next phase of on-chain payments, planning to translate technical innovations into scalable, compliant use cases that enhance integration into everyday commerce and global infrastructure.
- Stock Price Decline Risk: Mastercard's stock has fallen nearly 16% from its January 2026 peak of $595, currently approaching the psychological support level of $500; if it fails to break above $520, it may face further declines towards the $470-$480 range.
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Analyst Views on MA
Wall Street analysts forecast MA stock price to rise
28 Analyst Rating
25 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 477.680
Low
500.00
Averages
660.00
High
739.00
Current: 477.680
Low
500.00
Averages
660.00
High
739.00
About MA
Mastercard Incorporated is a technology company in the global payments industry. The Company connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, digital partners, businesses and other organizations worldwide by enabling electronic payments and making those payment transactions secure and accessible. It provides a range of payment solutions and services using its brands, including Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus. It operates a payments network that provides choice and flexibility for consumers, merchants and its customers. Through its proprietary global payments network, it switches (authorizes, clears and settles) payment transactions. Its additional payments capabilities include automated clearing house (ACH) transactions (both batch and real-time account-based payments). It offers security solutions, consumer acquisition and engagement, business and market insights, gateway, processing and open banking, among other services and solutions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Pilot Project Launch: Mastercard is participating in a Eurosystem-led pilot on the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) platform to test cross-currency instant payment capabilities, marking a key milestone in the company's strategy for direct connectivity to payment infrastructures.
- Transaction Processing Capability: During the pilot, Mastercard's global money movement platform, Mastercard Move, was among the first to process transactions using the cross-currency functionality, achieving 'atomic settlement' between euros and Danish kroner, ensuring both currency legs were completed simultaneously.
- Enhanced Payment Transparency: Mastercard Transfer Solutions global head Pratik Khowala stated that this pilot demonstrates how cross-border payments can match the speed, certainty, and transparency of domestic payments, indicating a shift towards a new payment model with fewer intermediaries and greater predictability.
- Platform Expansion Potential: The Mastercard Move platform supports domestic and international transfers across over 200 countries and territories in more than 150 currencies, and the successful execution of this pilot lays the groundwork for future expansion into additional payment schemes, currencies, and corridors.
See More
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- Settlement Capability Expansion: Mastercard plans to enhance its settlement options by adding intraday, weekend, and holiday settlements, supporting fiat currencies and on-chain card settlements with regulated stablecoins, aimed at improving liquidity management and expanding choices for money movement.
- Cross-Border Payment Relevance: The new settlement options are particularly relevant for use cases such as cross-border payments, treasury management, and payouts, indicating that traditional payment companies recognize the need to provide access to alternative channels like blockchain technologies to facilitate money flow.
- Stablecoin Support: Mastercard will support various stablecoins, including Circle's USDC and Paxos-issued PYUSD, USDG, and USDP, across multiple blockchain networks such as Arbitrum, Ethereum, and Polygon, thereby enhancing its competitive edge in the digital economy.
- Global Rollout Plan: The expanded capabilities will be rolled out globally, with additional regions, partners, and regulated stablecoins expected to be added by 2026, further solidifying Mastercard's market position in the digital payments landscape.
See More
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- Walmart's Strong Performance: Walmart's Q1 2027 revenue grew by 7.3% year-over-year to $177.8 billion, with adjusted EPS rising 8.2% to $0.66, although its stock fell due to second-quarter guidance falling short of expectations, reflecting market caution about future performance.
- E-commerce Growth: Walmart's e-commerce sales surged 26% year-over-year, not only boosting overall sales but also providing higher-margin opportunities, particularly in advertising and third-party seller services, further enhancing its competitive edge.
- Visa and Mastercard's Market Position: Visa and Mastercard have established a duopoly in the payment network space, and despite facing regulatory pressures and market fluctuations, both maintain strong competitive advantages due to network effects, with Visa being the preferred payment method for merchants.
- Future Growth Potential: Both companies have significant growth potential in underdeveloped markets with lower credit card penetration, presenting higher risks but also greater upside, and their increasing free cash flow ensures the sustainability of their dividend policies, making them top long-term investment choices.
See More
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- E-commerce Growth Surge: Walmart's e-commerce sales grew 26% year-over-year in the latest quarter, significantly outpacing traditional retail, indicating the company's ability to capitalize on the shift to online shopping, which could enhance profits and market share.
- Stable Dividend Policy: As a 'Dividend King', Walmart has raised its dividend for 50 consecutive years, remaining resilient even in the current economic climate, suggesting that long-term holders could achieve superior returns, especially with reinvested dividends.
- Duopoly in Payment Industry: Visa and Mastercard dominate the payment network space, facing regulatory pressures and market challenges, yet both possess substantial market potential with a combined addressable market exceeding $11 trillion, making them solid long-term holdings.
See More
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- Investment Strategy Shift: Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13F filing reveals a complete exit from positions in Visa, Mastercard, UnitedHealth Group, and Amazon, indicating a significant shift in its investment strategy.
- Delta Airlines Stake: The company added over 39.8 million shares of Delta Air Lines, valued at over $3.28 billion and representing about 1% of its stock portfolio, a surprising move especially under the new management following Buffett's retirement.
- Historical Lessons in Aviation: Despite Delta's 70% stock price increase over the past 12 months, Berkshire's historical performance in the airline sector has been poor, having suffered significant losses during the pandemic, highlighting a different risk assessment approach by the new management.
- Value Investment Outlook: Investing in Delta while its shares traded below 10 times earnings, which is cheaper than both American Airlines and United Airlines, reflects Berkshire's confidence in the airline industry's recovery and its view of Delta as a premium option with pricing power.
See More
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- Portfolio Adjustment: Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13F filing reveals a significant portfolio reduction, completely exiting positions in Visa, Mastercard, UnitedHealth Group, and Amazon, indicating a responsive strategy to market dynamics.
- Reentry into Airlines: The company purchased over 39.8 million shares of Delta Air Lines for more than $3.28 billion, marking its first return to the airline industry since the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting new management's confidence in the sector's recovery.
- Market Performance Insight: Delta's stock has surged 70% over the past 12 months, and Berkshire's investment occurred when its price-to-earnings ratio was below 10, showcasing a strategic value investment approach that could yield long-term gains.
- Impact of Management Change: With Warren Buffett's retirement, new CEO Greg Abel is implementing fresh investment strategies, and Berkshire's investment in Delta not only bets on the stability of the airline industry but also signifies trust in Delta as a premium airline, highlighting a shift in corporate strategy.
See More
