Coinbase and Mastercard Eye Billion-Dollar Deal to Acquire Stablecoin Firm BVNK

Highlights:

• Coinbase and Mastercard are reportedly in advanced talks to acquire stablecoin firm BVNK for up to $2.5 billion.
• The acquisition would strengthen both companies’ blockchain payment strategies and expand stablecoin integration globally.
• Discussions remain ongoing, with Coinbase said to be leading the race to finalize the BVNK deal.

Coinbase and Mastercard, a payment merchant, are reportedly in advanced talks to acquire London-based stablecoin startup BVNK. If finalized, BVNK’s valuation could range from $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, Fortune reported, citing six insiders familiar with the negotiations. Discussions are still underway, and neither Coinbase nor Mastercard has signed a definitive agreement, though Coinbase is reportedly ahead in the talks.

If the deal happens, it will be a big step for both crypto and traditional finance. It shows how blockchain payments are joining regular financial systems. BVNK, founded in 2021, has quickly become a top company in stablecoin services. The company helps businesses use stablecoins for payments, international transfers, and global money management. Its clients include banks and financial firms that want faster money movement without using traditional systems.

In December, BVNK raised $50 million in a round led by Haun Ventures, with support from Coinbase Ventures, Tiger Global, and the venture arms of Visa and Citi. At that time, the company’s valuation was about $750 million. If the acquisition is completed, it would exceed Stripe’s $1.1 billion purchase of the stablecoin startup Bridge earlier this year.

Coinbase and Mastercard Push Blockchain Innovation in Payments

Both Coinbase and Mastercard have been steadily expanding their blockchain and payment initiatives. Coinbase integrated USDC stablecoin transfers into its platform, enabling global remittances and merchant payments. Meanwhile, Mastercard has been focusing on building blockchain-based settlement solutions. These systems are designed to complement its existing card network. The company also recently partnered with USDC to promote stablecoin issuance and adoption.

The stablecoin market has passed $304 billion, says DeFiLlama. The U.S. GENIUS Act, signed by President Donald Trump in July, helped boost this growth. The law sets clear rules for issuing stablecoins and ensures transparency.

This growing efficiency has made stablecoins increasingly popular among businesses and individuals for cross-border transactions. Financial institutions and payment firms are also exploring stablecoin integration to simplify remittances and reduce costs. As a result, stablecoins are becoming a vital bridge between traditional finance and the digital economy.

Traditional Banks Embrace Stablecoins for Faster Payments

The rise of stablecoins is not just in crypto, as traditional banks are joining in too. In August, Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser said the bank is working on a Citi stablecoin and tokenized deposits to help businesses make 24/7 payments. In June, JPMorgan launched JPMD deposit tokens for institutional blockchain payments, even though CEO Jamie Dimon questioned their purpose.

Adding to this momentum, Standard Chartered projected that up to $1 trillion could flow from banks in emerging markets into stablecoins within the next three years. In a Monday report, the bank’s Global Research team explained that this shift would accelerate as payments and other financial services increasingly move outside the traditional banking system.

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