Today, Mastercard is introducing five startups from around the world to its Start Path Blockchain and Digital Assets program to drive best-in-class user experiences and expand use cases that demonstrate the power of blockchain technology.

Blockchain and digital assets are already transforming financial services, expanding how people and businesses can use their money to move value. Digital assets are becoming increasingly mainstream, speeding up commerce with trust and transparency.

Each currency format – from regulated money to bank deposits, to stablecoins and CBDCs – serves a specific purpose, and Mastercard is connecting with industry experts and fintechs to explore differentiated use cases that can help to solve real-world problems. Mastercard’s experience in payments innovation and building a global, card-based payments network uniquely positions the company to bridge these ecosystems with startups, power new solutions and create efficiencies in digital commerce experiences.

As part of its collaborative approach to innovation, Mastercard is exploring future use cases to scale new solutions with startups around the world. High-potential blockchain, digital assets and Web3 startups receive the opportunity for collaboration, bespoke training and access to Mastercard’s customers and channels through the virtual four-month program. Since the program was founded in 2014, Mastercard has supported more than 400 startups from 54 countries.

The following startups are joining Start Path to expand into new markets and scale blockchain innovation:

1. Kulipa (France): Enables next-gen crypto payment card issuing for digital wallets.

2. Parfin (U.K.): Builds enterprise-grade software products to allow financial institutions to adopt blockchain rails.

3. peaq (Singapore): Provides permissionless, borderless digital infrastructure for real-world apps (DePIN), leveraging vehicles, machines, robots and devices.