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Mastercard is expanding its Multi-Token Network (MTN) to allow compliant, blockchain-based transactions between crypto assets and traditional finance.
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Strategic partnerships with JPMorgan, Standard Chartered, and Ondo Finance support MTN’s focus on cross-border payments and tokenized real-world assets.
Mastercard is continuing its push into blockchain infrastructure with the expansion of its Multi-Token Network (MTN), a proprietary platform designed to allow frictionless transactions between digital assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Launched in 2023, the MTN is part of Mastercard’s overall strategy to consolidate traditional financial infrastructure with decentralized technology to create a standardized, interoperable, and compliant ecosystem for crypto-enabled payments.
The network allows tokenized versions of fiat currencies and real-world assets to move securely on-chain, with Mastercard positioning MTN as a foundation for institutional adoption of blockchain-based payment systems.
According to the company, MTN is being built to resemble familiar peer-to-peer tools like Venmo and Zelle, but with the added transparency and traceability of blockchain infrastructure. The plan targets the main challenges in the digital asset space, including regulatory compliance, settlement efficiency, and institutional-grade security.
Mastercard has entered strategic partnerships to support MTN’s rollout. Collaborations with JPMorgan and Standard Chartered are focused on use cases such as cross-border payments and asset tokenization. In early 2025, Mastercard added Ondo Finance to the MTN ecosystem, allowing the tokenization of U.S. Treasuries and money market funds—marking a step toward on-chain integration of traditional financial instruments.
Long-Term Blockchain Commitment
Mastercard’s investment in blockchain is not new. The payments company has filed more than 250 blockchain-related patents since 2015 and has backed multiple startups through its crypto accelerator program. This long-term pledge is in line with Mastercard’s faith in the changing potential of blockchain to shake up the financial industry.
Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s Executive Vice President of Blockchain and Digital Assets, said the company is working to ensure that digital assets can be transacted “as easily and securely as our fiat-based systems today.” He explained that usability, regulatory compliance, and compatibility are core to the MTN platform’s design.
MTN is currently tested with a limited number of financial institutions, with a global rollout to come as regulatory clarity arises. Mastercard’s approach is to target permissioned blockchains and approved participants, distinguishing itself from public blockchain networks by offering more control, transparency, and audibility.
As the digital asset space grows, Mastercard’s infrastructure efforts position it to serve as a key bridge between legacy financial systems and upcoming blockchain-based platforms. The company’s MTN strategy aligns with an overall trend among traditional financial institutions seeking to integrate crypto-native technologies into existing regulatory frameworks.