Crypto exchange Coinbase and payment processing giant Mastercard have entered advanced acquisition discussions to purchase BVNK, a London-based fintech company specializing in stablecoin payment infrastructure, according to Fortune sources.
While negotiations remain ongoing and could potentially collapse, multiple insiders revealed the potential acquisition price ranges between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. Current indications suggest Coinbase may be leading the bidding competition against Mastercard at this negotiation stage.
If successfully completed, this transaction would represent the largest stablecoin-related acquisition in history, demonstrating how traditional financial institutions and cryptocurrency companies are competing to dominate the emerging digital payments landscape.
The growing demand for blockchain payment networks was highlighted last year when Stripe acquired stablecoin startup Bridge for $1.1 billion. BVNK operates in the same sector, providing businesses with tools to send and receive payments using stablecoins - digital tokens pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar. Their technology enables instant settlement and significantly lower transaction fees compared to traditional systems like SWIFT or card networks.
Neither company has officially commented on the ongoing discussions. A successful acquisition could fundamentally transform how stablecoins circulate through both cryptocurrency ecosystems and traditional financial networks.