In an interview, Christian Rau, Head of Crypto for Mastercard, spoke about the company's approach to cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.
Cryptocurrency as Part of Infrastructure
Christian Rau stated that Mastercard does not view cryptocurrencies as a financial revolution but rather as another layer in its global infrastructure. He indicated that the company's strategy has remained unchanged for 50 years: 'to enable people to pay and businesses to be paid safely and compliantly.'
The Role of Stablecoins
Rau added that stablecoins can speed up settlements and reduce currency risks. However, he noted that they cannot replace the protections offered by traditional payment networks. Additionally, Mastercard already provides services for converting digital assets into fiat at stores.
Market Analysis of Stablecoins
The stablecoin market continues to grow, with a total trading volume exceeding $154.7 billion. Tether and Circle lead in capitalization, while Mastercard actively expands its partnership with Circle to support stablecoin settlements in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Mastercard emphasizes that stablecoins complement their services and do not negatively impact the existing payment infrastructure.
