The race to dominate blockchain-based payments may be entering a new phase. According to Fortune, Coinbase and Mastercard are in discussions to jointly acquire BVNK, a London-based stablecoin infrastructure provider, in a deal valued at roughly $2 billion.

BVNK has quickly become one of the most sought-after companies in the payments sector, building technology that allows financial institutions to use stablecoins for instant cross-border transactions. Its model bridges the gap between traditional banking systems and blockchain settlement, giving banks and fintech firms a faster, cheaper alternative to the SWIFT network.

If finalized, the acquisition would mark a strategic leap for both companies. Coinbase has been steadily expanding its global payments operations, embedding stablecoin solutions into its ecosystem for remittances, merchant processing, and institutional settlement.

Mastercard, meanwhile, has been integrating stablecoin functionality into its own payment rails, aiming to blend fiat and crypto transactions within a single interoperable network. The company has already partnered with several blockchain firms to test on-chain settlement models, signaling its intent to remain at the forefront of financial innovation.

BVNK’s infrastructure has drawn growing interest from major finance players. Citi Ventures, the venture capital arm of Citigroup, recently made an investment in the firm – joining Visa, which has collaborated with BVNK to expand its stablecoin-powered payment initiatives. Together, these partnerships highlight a rapid shift among traditional financial institutions toward tokenized settlement.

For Coinbase and Mastercard, the deal could serve as a gateway to global stablecoin adoption – uniting crypto-native liquidity with enterprise-grade financial networks. If the acquisition proceeds, it would underscore how the boundaries between legacy payments and digital assets are quickly disappearing.

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