Mastercard (NYSE: MA) is focused on addressing modern financial challenges, from combating first-party fraud to embracing cryptocurrency.
Recently, the global payments firm announced key initiatives that highlight its commitment to innovation, security, and bridging traditional finance with the digital economy.
These developments—the expansion of the First-Party Trust program, a partnership with Chainlink for on-chain crypto purchases, and a collaboration with Fiserv to enable stablecoin adoption—signal Mastercard’s proactive approach to shaping the future of payments.
Mastercard’s First-Party Trust program, initially launched in the U.S. in 2023, is now expanding to Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia Pacific, addressing the growing issue of “friendly” or first-party fraud.
This type of fraud occurs when cardholders mistakenly or intentionally dispute legitimate transactions, leading to chargebacks that cost merchants billions.
According to Mastercard’s 2025 State of Chargebacks report, the global cost of chargebacks is projected to reach $42 billion by 2028, with nearly half flagged as fraudulent.
The First-Party Trust program leverages data-driven technology to streamline dispute resolution, enabling merchants and banks to exchange evidence efficiently.
This reduces the time and cost associated with resolving disputes while fostering trust and transparency across the ecosystem.
Johan Gerber, Mastercard’s executive vice president of global security solutions, emphasized that the program supports businesses in managing complex disputes as e-commerce evolves.
By expanding to new markets, Mastercard aims to empower merchants worldwide to combat fraud effectively, enhancing the transaction experience for both businesses and consumers.
In a key move, Mastercard has partnered with Chainlink to enable its 3.5 billion cardholders to purchase cryptocurrencies directly on-chain, bypassing traditional exchanges.
Announced recently, this collaboration integrates Mastercard’s global payment network with Chainlink’s secure interoperability infrastructure, creating a seamless fiat-to-crypto conversion process.
The partnership leverages decentralized exchange (DEX) platforms like Uniswap, with support from firms such as ZeroHash, Shift4 Payments, and Swapper Finance, which operates on Chainlink’s XSwap protocol.
This initiative removes longstanding barriers to crypto adoption by allowing users to buy assets like Bitcoin and stablecoins directly on the blockchain using their Mastercard.
The process is secure, compliant, and powered by Chainlink’s data validation and smart contract execution, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s executive vice president of blockchain and digital assets, described the partnership as “a secure and innovative way to revolutionize on-chain commerce.”
Chainlink’s CEO, Sergey Nazarov, highlighted the collaboration’s complexity and its potential to drive mainstream Web3 adoption, marking a significant step in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi).
Mastercard is also deepening its partnership with Fiserv to integrate the FIUSD stablecoin across its global network, enabling payments at over 150 million merchants.
Announced this month, this collaboration builds on Mastercard’s existing support for stablecoins like Circle’s USDC and PayPal’s PYUSD, as well as its participation in the Paxos-led Global Dollar Network (USDG).
The initiative includes stablecoin-powered card issuance, merchant settlements, and cross-border payments through Mastercard Move, a platform that supports clients like MoneyGram.
Fiserv’s FIUSD, set to launch by the end of 2025, aims to make stablecoins as ubiquitous as fiat currencies.
Chiro Aikat, co-president of the Americas at Mastercard, stated that the partnership “is setting the stage for a new era” of payment innovation.
By integrating FIUSD into its products, including the Mastercard One Credential feature, which allows users to choose between fiat and stablecoin balances, Mastercard is enhancing payment flexibility for consumers and businesses.
This move aligns with the growing institutional adoption of stablecoins, a $260 billion market expected to expand further following the U.S. Senate’s passage of the GENIUS Act to regulate the sector.
Mastercard’s recent announcements reflect its vision to address emerging challenges in payments while embracing digital transformation.
The First-Party Trust program tackles the costly issue of friendly fraud, the Chainlink partnership simplifies crypto access for billions, and the Fiserv collaboration positions stablecoins as a mainstream payment option.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate Mastercard’s role in fostering trust, security, and innovation in the evolving financial landscape.
As the lines between traditional and digital finance blur, Mastercard is not just adapting but actively shaping the future of global payments.