Ripple teams up with Mastercard to launch a crypto payment program, collaborating with 85 companies to integrate digital assets into the global payment system

March 12 News, blockchain company Ripple announced a partnership with global payments giant Mastercard, jointly promoting the application of cryptocurrencies in real-world commerce with approximately 85 companies. This collaboration is part of Mastercard’s latest “Cryptocurrency Partner Program,” aimed at connecting its payment network across more than 200 countries with banks, fintech firms, and blockchain developers to accelerate the adoption of digital assets in cross-border payments and merchant settlements.

According to the plan, participating companies will collaboratively develop and test blockchain-based payment tools through a partnership platform to improve cross-border fund transfer efficiency and reduce transaction costs. Mastercard stated that as demand for faster, more transparent, and lower-cost international payments continues to grow, the value of blockchain technology in the global payment system is increasingly evident.

In this program, Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure will serve as one of the core technologies. Ripple’s network supports near-instant settlement of funds and has low transaction fees, giving it clear advantages in cross-border remittances and real-time payments. By integrating with Mastercard’s existing payment systems, companies can access digital asset payment functions without altering their current financial infrastructure.

The partnership network also includes several digital financial firms such as PayPal, Circle, and major centralized exchanges (CEX). Participating companies will test their digital payment systems in real business environments and explore how to combine tokenized payments with traditional payment tools.

Ripple stated that the company has already validated the capabilities of blockchain technology in actual payment operations, with payments processed via stablecoins exceeding $100 billion. Additionally, Ripple plans to expand its Asia-Pacific business by acquiring Australian payment company BC Payments and obtaining a local financial services license.

To support long-term growth, Ripple also announced a $750 million stock buyback program to strengthen its capital base and continue investing in technology development and global expansion.

Mastercard noted that the partnership program will also organize industry seminars and forums to help companies address compliance, risk management, and cross-border regulatory issues related to digital asset payments. Participating companies will work together to establish relevant standards to ensure systems can support multi-currency transactions and meet regulatory requirements across different countries.

Industry experts believe that by combining Ripple’s blockchain technology with Mastercard’s global payment network, digital asset payments are gradually moving from experimental phases to actual commercial applications. As more companies join this partnership ecosystem, the use of cryptocurrencies in cross-border remittances, corporate settlements, and global payments could further expand.