Mastercard to Acquire Stablecoin Infrastructure Startup BVNK for Up to $1.8 Billion
According to Mastercard’s official statement, the BVNK acquisition is expected to close by year-end and adds a provider handling roughly $25 billion-$30 billion in annual stablecoin payment volume across more than 130 countries and regions.
The acquisition is confirmed by a detailed CoinDesk report (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/03/17/mastercard-agrees-to-purchase-bvnk-for-up-to-usd1-8-billion) which specifies the acquisition price of $1.8 billion and the inclusion of $300 million in contingent payments. The news is also corroborated by a Bloomberg report identified via media tracing. The timing of the reports (March 17, 2026) aligns perfectly with the user's provided context.
Mastercard said in an official statement that it agreed to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK for up to $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments, and expects to close the deal by year-end. The update adds that BVNK processes about $25 billion-$30 billion in annual stablecoin payment volume across more than 130 countries and regions. Mastercard has positioned the acquisition as an expansion of its digital asset and cross-border payment infrastructure capabilities.
- Stablecoin: A cryptocurrency designed to maintain a fixed value, usually by being pegged to a fiat currency such as the U.S. dollar.
- fiat-to-stablecoin: A payment or conversion flow that moves value from traditional government-issued currency into a stablecoin-based system.
- Contingent payments: A portion of an acquisition price that is payable only if specified conditions or performance milestones are met after the deal.