Mastercard announces new batch of Web3 engagement program

Mastercard, a global payment processing corporation, has announced a new batch of companies joining Start Path Crypto, its Web3 engagement program that helps blockchain, crypto, and digital asset startups scale.

Photo credit: Håkan Dahlström Photography

Seven crypto startups from around the world will get access to Mastercard’s channels and customers, mentorship, and tech collaboration, as well as opportunities to expand into new markets for three months. The new entrants will join 18 other companies that have previously joined the program.

The engagement program is part of Mastercard Start Path, a six-month accelerator program for fintech startups launched in 2014. The accelerator program has seen more than 350 companies from 40 countries participate in total since its inception.

Connected with 90 million merchants worldwide, Mastercard believes its experience in securing multiple payment rails will enable crypto companies to operate safely in the market.

“NFTs, blockchain gaming, and metaverse experiences could transform how consumers shop and communicate however we need to collaborate and bring together tech, banking, fintech, and crypto to unlock this potential,” the company stated.

The seven crypto startups joining the program are:

• Digital Treasures Center, a Singapore-based company that empowers merchants to pay, receive, and transfer funds, including crypto, and process major currencies using DTC Pay.
• Fasset, an Abu Dhabi-based digital asset exchange working in Web3.
• Loot Bolt, a US-based company that empowers organizations to build communities by leveraging a Web3-powered social payments system.
• Quadrata, a US-based company that uses privacy-preserving and Sybil-resistant tech to bring identity and compliance to public blockchains.
• Stable, a Colombian firm offering global remittances, peer-to-peer payments, and card use based on tech that stabilizes all global currencies, including stablecoins.
• TBTM Studios, a Dubai-based company building the world’s first blockchain-based media fintech, turning culture into currency by rewarding fans for building communities around content.
• Uptop, a US-based company that uses blockchain to create a clutter-free place for brands to control their customer relationships and for shoppers to receive personalized rewards.

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