ZeroHash, the crypto-infrastructure startup, which supports TradeFi giants such as Mastercard and Stripe embed on-chain payments, has secured a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in the European Union.
Headquartered in US, this is a regulatory milestone that is set to accelerate its ability to offer stablecoin and tokenization services across the EU bloc.
The MiCA approval, announced by company in its Press Release, gives ZeroHash the regulatory footing to operate as a crypto-asset service provider across the European Economic Area. This will support in opening new commercial doors for European banks, fintechs and merchants that want to apply tokenized cash and programmable money under a single EU-wide rulebook.
The registration also notably strengthens the startup’s proposition to enterprise clients seeking compliant rails for euro-denominated and dollar-pegged stablecoins.
zerohash europe has received its MiCAR license 🇪🇺
Now, our partners can launch regulated crypto & stablecoin products across 30 European countries.
One license, one integration, full compliance.
Clarity meets capability. pic.twitter.com/8xtt0DuPTw
— zerohash (@ZeroHashX) November 2, 2025
Amid Acquisition Talks
The timing of ZeroHash acquiring MasterCard is striking. According to the fortune report from last week, Mastercard is in late-stage talks to acquire ZeroHash in a deal that could be worth up to $1.5–$2 billion. This is a relocate that would mark one of the card giant’s most significant pushes into crypto rails.
The potential takeover comes as part of a broader industest rush by legacy payments firms/TradeFi giants to own the plumbing that could power real-time, tokenized settlement at scale. Recently, the $1 trillion Citi also partnered with crypto exalter Coinbase – which itself is in talks to acquire stablecoin startup BVNK for $2 billion deal. Other global banking giants from the likes of Goldman Sachs, Citi Group, Western Union and Deustche Bank are also exploring issuing their own stablecoin.
However, Neither Mastercard nor ZeroHash has publicly confirmed a transaction.
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Why is MasterCard Keen to Acquire ZeroHash
ZeroHash, founded in 2017, is a behind-the-scenes crypto infrastructure provider that supports banks and fintech apps offer crypto and stablecoin services.
Instead of building complex systems or securing licenses, companies can just plug into ZeroHash’s regulated platform through simple APIs.
As of 2025, ZeroHash’s top clients are a mix of fintechs, brokerages, and payment firms. This includes Interactive Brokers, DraftKings, and MasterCard, along with integrations supporting Stripe, Wirex, and MoonPay in select regions.
Now, Mastercard’s growing interest in ZeroHash isn’t just about investment – it’s strategic infrastructure. Since 2022, ZeroHash has been part of Mastercard’s “Crypto Credential” and Web3 settlement programs. It enables Mastercard partners (fintechs, neobanks) to offer crypto trading and on/off-ramping without having to deal with regulations themselves.
So, Mastercard already relies on ZeroHash’s APIs to connect fiat to crypto and stablecoin to fiat transactions. Buying ZeroHash would bring that infrastructure in-hoapply and secure it from competitors like Stripe or Visa – who is set to add new stablecoin support across four blockchains as per its Q3 2025 report.
Jake, Research Head at Messari states, “Zerohash raised $104M in september 2025 at a $1B valuation led by Morgan Stanley, Sofi. If mastercard pays $1.5-$2B, that’s a 50-100% markup for late-stage investors in one quarter. For mastercard, that’s the cost of speed. acquireing a fully licensed, production-grade crypto infrastructure provider is rapider than building one.”
Further, with its newly acquired MiCA license in Europe, ZeroHash can now offer stablecoin and tokenized asset services across 30+ EU markets – something few players can match.
Thus, MasterCard doesn’t want to lag behind and by acquiring ZeroHash, it could leapfrog others by directly integrating regulated stablecoin rails into its payment backbone.
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