Mastercard has announced the launch of a new payload layer integrating regulated dollar stablecoins (USDC, PYUSD, USDG and others) into its payment infrastructure. This will allow banks and fintech companies to conduct final payments 24/7, including weekends and holidays, bypassing traditional bank windows. Thus, stablecoins are evolving from a cryptocurrency trading tool into a full-fledged element of the global payment system, optimizing liquidity management.

To ensure flexibility, Mastercard will support payments in multiple blockchain networks: Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Base, Arbitrum, and XRPL. Pilot testing of the new format starts in the US and Latin America. Key partners in the first phase will be organizations working at the intersection of traditional and digital finance, including Cross River, Lead Bank, CBW Bank, ARQ, and Nuvei.

This step serves as Mastercard’s strategic response to the competition from native blockchain solutions from Circle and Ripple. The payment giant integrates digital assets into its ecosystem, serving as a link between classic banks and Web3 infrastructure. If financial institutions assess the continuity of such payments, stablecoins will become a definitive standard for corporate and cross-border payments.