Stablecoin Payments Go Mainstream With Mastercard and MoonPay

Mastercard and MoonPay have joined forces to make stablecoins easier to use for everyday payments. Their new global partnership, announced on May 15, introduces Mastercard-branded cards that let users spend stablecoins directly from their digital wallets.

Good to know

• Mastercard-branded cards will convert stablecoins to fiat in real time.
• New system will work at over 150 million Mastercard-accepting merchants.
• MoonPay’s network includes over 100 million users and 500+ crypto platforms.

The idea is simple: let people spend stablecoins the same way they use regular money. Users will be able to pay for things using cards tied to their digital asset balances. As the transaction happens, the stablecoins are instantly converted into local currency—making payments fast and seamless across Mastercard’s global network.

To make this happen, MoonPay is using Iron’s API-based infrastructure, which it acquired earlier this year. This backend system allows real-time conversion of stablecoins and supports use cases like global payouts, cross-border transfers, and financial disbursements.

Making crypto spending real

Scott Abrahams, Mastercard’s executive vice president for global partnerships, explained the vision behind the partnership: “By providing solutions that unlock stablecoin utility and ubiquity, we are redefining how money moves globally and driving a shift in payments as we know it. Together with Moonpay, we’re building innovative and secure connectivity between crypto and mainstream finance ecosystems, grounded by trust and driven by scale.”

MoonPay already connects to over 500 crypto platforms and has access to more than 100 million users. With around 20 million wallets transacting stablecoins each month, and 120 million wallets holding them, the need for better spending options is clear.

Now, fintechs, neobanks, and businesses can issue Mastercard cards linked directly to stablecoin holdings. Users can shop in-store or online just like they would with a regular debit card, but with the added benefit of spending digital assets.

The partnership with MoonPay builds on Mastercard’s broader work in digital payments. In recent months, the company has rolled out other stablecoin-focused initiatives, teaming up with OKX, Circle, and Nuvei to simplify merchant acceptance of crypto.

Mastercard’s strategy includes everything from enabling wallets to issuing and accepting cards backed by digital currencies. The company is already working with major players like Crypto.com, and Kraken to bridge traditional finance with the digital asset space.