• Published on 21 July 2020
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Mastercard accelerates crypto card partner programme for easier activation of cryptocurrencies

Consumer interest and investment in digital currencies are growing, with research showing that up to 20% of the population of some countries are holding cryptocurrencies and an increasing number of merchants, digital players and financial institutions are exploring crypto payments. 

Aiding adoption and creating innovative experiences in the crypto space, Mastercard announced the expansion of its cryptocurrency programme, making it simpler and faster for partners to bring secure, compliant payment cards to market. Cryptocurrency and crypto card partners are invited to join Mastercard’s Accelerate programme for emerging brands and fintechs.

The move comes as Wirex becomes the first native cryptocurrency platform to be granted a Mastercard principal membership, allowing it to directly issue payment cards. 

“The cryptocurrency market continues to mature, and Mastercard is driving it forward, creating safe and secure experiences for consumers and businesses in today’s digital economy,” Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President of Digital Asset and Blockchain Products and Partnerships at Mastercard, said. “Our work with Wirex and the wider crypto ecosystem is accelerating innovation and empowering consumers with more choice in the way they pay.”

Accepted at millions of merchants worldwide

Mastercard principal membership enables Wirex to issue payment cards directly to consumers, making it easier for people to buy, hold and exchange multiple traditional and cryptocurrencies. Consumers can instantly convert their cryptocurrencies into traditional fiat currency, which can be spent everywhere Mastercard is accepted around the world. 

Currency will always enter Mastercard’s network as traditional fiat currency. Users will also benefit from Wirex’s Cryptoback rewards programme, which automatically gives customers up to 1.5% back in bitcoin for every purchase made in-store.

“We are very excited for Wirex to be the first crypto-native company granted principal membership from Mastercard,” Pavel Matveev, CEO and co-founder of Wirex, said. “It represents a growing interest and recognition in the acceptance of cryptocurrency by leading bodies and regulators and will help us to realise our vision of empowering everyone to experience a world where all currencies, traditional and crypto, are equal.”

Regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority with a licence to issue cards in Europe, Wirex has been growing rapidly over the past 18 months, with a successful expansion into the Asia Pacific region and the release of its native Wirex Token (WXT). 

Later in 2020, the company plans to launch a next generation of Wirex card for customers in Europe, with features including additional currencies and free international ATM withdrawals. Wirex also plans to start issuing corporate cards for Wirex Business clients.

Simple, fast, compliant and progressive

Mastercard’s Accelerate programme provides a simple, single entry point to the company’s wide range of specialised programmes and gives crypto partners and other fintechs support and assistance for every stage of their growth and transformation, from market entry to global expansion. Crypto partners can be onboarded to Mastercard in a matter of weeks and are provided a guided experience through everything the company can offer.

Programme participants are connected to relevant parts of the business to integrate Mastercard’s proprietary technology, leverage its insights and cybersecurity services, engage new customers and reach new markets and segments. In addition, Mastercard’s commitment to financial inclusion drives focused product development, helping co-create solutions that enable a more inclusive economy.

Enhancing with the programme for crypto card partners, Mastercard has streamlined its approval processes to reduce the time to market for partner products while maintaining its commitment to its principles for partnerships.

Mastercard will only work with crypto partners that follow its core principles, wherein cryptocurrency partnerships must provide strong consumer protection, including privacy and security of the consumers’ information and transactions; deliver a level playing field for all stakeholders, including but not limited to financial institutions, merchants and mobile network operators; and operate in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including those applicable to anti-money laundering, and consistent with the economic systems of the countries the network operates in.

Mastercard is committed to applying its innovation, experience and scale to emerging cryptocurrency and digital currency partners, building global ecosystems to modernise payments and transform the way people and businesses transact.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker