TL;DR
- Chainlink and Mastercard will integrate on-chain crypto purchases for over 3 billion cardholders worldwide.
- Shift4, Zerohash, XSwap, and Uniswap will handle payments, conversion, and decentralized swaps within this new system.
- Swapper Finance will be the first platform to operate this solution, enabling immediate on-chain settlements directly from the Mastercard payment network.
Chainlink and Mastercard announced a partnership that will allow more than 3 billion Mastercard cardholders to purchase cryptocurrencies directly on blockchain networks.
The initiative connects traditional payment systems with decentralized applications, removing several limitations that previously restricted these types of operations. This agreement leverages Chainlink’s interoperability infrastructure to integrate fiat payments with on-chain transactions, ensuring an automated and secure conversion process.
How Will the New System Work?
The operational framework brings together several companies, each handling a specific role in the process. Shift4 will process card payments, while Zerohash will manage fiat custody and provide the liquidity needed for crypto conversion. Once that stage is completed, XSwap and Uniswap will execute the token swaps on decentralized exchanges, finalizing the transaction transparently and without centralized intermediaries.
Swapper Finance will be the first platform to run on this structure. The solution allows Mastercard users to access crypto purchases without leaving their usual payment network and with immediate on-chain settlement. This boosts crypto accessibility for a mainstream audience and makes integrating digital assets into everyday transactions far more practical.
Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov stated that this project directly connects traditional payment systems with decentralized financial ecosystems — a connection the industry has long needed. Meanwhile, Mastercard aims to meet the growing demand from users seeking simple, secure options to operate with digital assets.
Mastercard Expands Its Presence in the Crypto Market
This agreement will also strengthen Mastercard’s position in the crypto space, where it already collaborates with companies like MoonPay and Kraken. The company had previously introduced systems for stablecoin payments at merchants worldwide and crypto cards issued alongside exchanges.
This integration will enable blockchain-based payments at scale, leveraging a network of billions of active cards. It also gives traditional users access to decentralized exchanges and on-chain swaps without complex technical setups or custodial intermediaries
