Mastercard to Support Cryptocurrency Payments in 2021

Mastercard is moving beyond crypto cards to support direct payments in "select cryptocurrencies"—but not Bitcoin

news coming from Jeff Benson via Decrypt

According to a source familiar with the matter, the functionality will see Mastercard customers’ digital currency payments settled in crypto at participating merchants, a first for the financial giant. The company has not yet disclosed which digital currencies it intends to support, or where.

Mastercard will allow customer-to-merchant payments in cryptocurrency this year without the need to settle in fiat.

The announcement makes clear that Mastercard is interested in integrating stablecoins rather than assets like Bitcoin.

Visa has also mulled running cryptocurrencies on its network.

'Very Unlikely' Central Banks Will Hold Bitcoin: ECB President

news coming from Mathew Di Salvo via Decrypt

The European Central Bank’s president, Christine Lagarde, has again made her stance on Bitcoin crystal clear.

Lagarde today reportedly said central banks would not hold the currency in the near future.

But the president did add that a digital version of the Euro could be ready within four years. 

The Aftermath of Tesla Buying 1.5 Billion of Bitcoin