Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Nintendo Shares Slide After Earnings Miss Raises Switch 2 Margin Concerns 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
CK Hutchison Launches Arbitration After Panama Court Revokes Canal Port Licences 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Once Upon a Farm Raises Nearly $198 Million in IPO, Valued at Over $724 Million 
Mastercard just teamed up with prime digital currency companies in the Asia Pacific to launch its first crypto-linked payment cards in the region. The credit card company is moving deeper into the digital asset space, and its new market offering was revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
According to CoinTelegraph, Mastercard signed a deal with three leading cryptocurrency service providers in the Asia Pacific region, and these are the Hong Kong’s Amber Group, Australia’s CoinJar, and Thailand’s Bitkub. With its new partners, the company will be offering crypto-funded payment cards that will allow customers to convert their digital assets into traditional money in an instant.
Mastercard did not state which of the available cryptocurrencies it would be accepting but based on the reports, it is most likely to be Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). This is because these two digital currencies are already being accepted by many merchants, although it has not reached a widescale adoption yet.
Prior to the launch of its crypto-linked payment cards, the company also did its own research in the Asia-Pacific and discovered that 45% said they are considering cryptocurrency next year. Thus, the company is convinced its new crypto payment scheme will be accepted by more people around the world, especially now that most transactions are done online.
“Cryptocurrencies are many things to people—an investment, a disruptive technology, or a unique financial tool. As interest and attention surges from all quarters, their real-world applications are now emerging beyond the speculative,” Mastercard Asia Pacific’s executive vice president, digital and emerging partnerships, and new payment flow, Rama Sridhar, said in a press release.
She went on to say, “In collaboration with these partners that adhere to the same core principles that Mastercard does that any digital currency must offer stability, regulatory compliance and consumer protection - Mastercard is expanding what’s possible with cryptocurrencies to give people even greater choice and flexibility in how they pay.”
Meanwhile, CoinDesk mentioned that Mastercard’s crypto-linked payment card is not limited to the company’s credit cards but is also available on debit and prepaid cards. With the new feature, cardholders worldwide will be able to convert cryptocurrencies to traditional money any time and everywhere where Mastercard is honored.
