Mastercard, one of the world’s largest payments processors, says Wirex has become the first native crypto company to be able to directly issue payment cards to its customers.
- As part of an expansion of its cryptocurrency program, Mastercard said Monday it had granted Wirex principal membership status.
- Regulated by the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Wirex offers a payment facility that automatically exchanges crypto into fiat currencies.
- Wirex’s original card had been with rival Visa; the company will now be able to use Mastercard’s network for fiat currency payments.
- Mastercard processed more than $1.6 trillion in Q1 2020; an 8% increase year-on-year.
- Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s executive vice president on digital assets and blockchain, said the company wanted to work within a maturing cryptocurrency industry.
- Mastercard also said it had made its processes easier for other crypto companies to become principal members as well as access some of its acceleration programs.
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https://www.coindesk.com/mastercard-now-allows-crypto-firm-wirex-to-issue-payment-cards
