MasterCard announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with cryptocurrency firm Bakkt to offer crypto choices to banks and merchants using its payments network. CNBC was the first to break this story.
For instance, reward points for transactions like those made at hotels or airlines can be converted into bitcoin via banks that use Mastercard’s worldwide payments network (credit cards and debit cards).
With custodial wallets on Bakkt’s platform, users can convert their cryptocurrency holdings to pay for transactions and digital assets.
Earlier this year, Mastercard announced that it would start enabling cardholders to conduct specific transactions in specific cryptocurrencies across its network. In an effort to increase consumer adoption of cryptocurrencies, he claimed to have started the crypto and digital asset firm in July.
The agreement with Bakkt, which became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange on October 18, has greatly increased public awareness of and acceptance for cryptocurrencies.
According to the business, its network currently includes more than 22,000 banks and financial institutions and more than 2.8 billion MasterCard cards.
Mastercard announced earlier this year that it would start enabling cardholders to conduct certain cryptocurrency transactions on its network. He said that in an effort to increase consumer adoption of cryptocurrencies, he founded the cryptocurrency and digital asset firm in July.
The agreement with Bakkt, which was made public on October 18 on the New York Stock Exchange, has greatly increased access to and acceptance of cryptocurrencies.
According to the corporation, its network includes more than 22,000 banks and financial institutions and more than 2.8 billion MasterCard cards that are now in circulation.