# 支付巨頭的進化：MasterCard在區塊鏈和加密貨幣領域的里程碑 By [小烏鴉Ma𝕏](https://paragraph.com/@soaringcrowz-2) · 2023-09-02 --- 前言 -- 繼上次寫完《[**Visa 的區塊鏈革命：支付巨頭如何塑造未來金融**](https://mirror.xyz/lilcrowz.eth/18MRLXRSmC8ATCcuK5AfNcUIqrcrCWspcKXYarC70So)》後，不少人有反應，MasterCard 其實在區塊鏈這一塊，也有蠻多戰略佈局的。 作為目前全球兩個最大的國際卡品牌，Visa 跟 MasterCard 這樣亦敵亦友的關係，常常讓二者在金融科技領域進行角逐。 不過，MasterCard 更是早在 2014 年就開始探索加密產業，甚至比 Visa 早一年！ 那麽，本文就來看看 MasterCard 在區塊鏈領域都做了什麼事情？ MasterCard 2014~2023 發展歷程 ------------------------- ### 2014 Xapo 宣布推出年費 $15 的 Bitcoin 簽帳卡，支援 MasterCard 場合使用，以便化並擴大比特幣使用者。同時，MasterCard 因預期 token 使用增加而設立新的「數位啟用」費用，及調整其它相關收費。 ![圖片來源：CoinDesk](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/3aacca43a45c476309b7453e803a0a97ed8e8a1afe4ad0eab94cbce097715750.png) 圖片來源：CoinDesk ### 2015 Barry Silbert 於出售 SecondMarket 後不久，成立 Digital Currency Group (DCG)，並成功獲得 MasterCard 及其它大型機構投資支持。DCG 將以公司身份投資於比特幣新創，並已擁有數家子公司。Silbert 目標是建立區塊鏈產業最大的早期投資組合，至今已投資 57 家國際加密公司。 ![圖片來源：TechCrunch](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8a97cce16380550ba4a8772b087f739348f901e9a1d2cdb89b75e63e04971c81.png) 圖片來源：TechCrunch ### 2016 在 2016 年 Davos 會議上，MasterCard 首席創新官 Garry Lyons 強調金融科技對金融服務業的影響，尤其看好區塊鏈的潛力，而對比特幣持保守看法。MasterCard 正透過其研究部門 MasterCardLabs，探索區塊鏈於支付解決方案的應用。 ![圖片來源：CodeDost](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/32df16ce0c0c77b7ebbab11c5a8893690ed552f56b6c13356f853a0687b0c2a1.png) 圖片來源：CodeDost ### 2017 MasterCard 的執行長 Ajay Banga 對比特幣持懷疑態度，指其可能用於非法活動且價格不穩，但看好由政府監管的加密貨幣。另外，MasterCard 推出自家的區塊鏈支付網路，著重於 B2B 跨境支付，並提供開放 API 以鼓勵新應用開發，期待透過此技術帶來更迅速且安全的支付方式。 ![圖片來源：ComputerWorld](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/5235d065b1f243f9c3e496d5c0cbf5ba578186239ece882a95adc9ace2725407.png) 圖片來源：ComputerWorld ### 2018 MasterCard 的執行長 Ajay Banga 對多數加密貨幣持負面看法，主因為其匿名性和價格波動，但對於國家發行且非匿名的加密貨幣抱持開放立場，認為這類貨幣具透明度及穩定性，適合日常交易。 同時，MasterCard 積極投入區塊鏈技術，已申請及獲得專利，目的在於提升信用卡交易的安全與效率，允許使用者利用區塊鏈直接執行交易，同時確保交易的私密性和安全性。 ![圖片來源：Financial Times](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7ac220969abc7c1766d560e9fcf1fd657a8a3073d52a016cc9ea9b75de049156.png) 圖片來源：Financial Times ### 2019 **合作發展** MasterCard 攜手 Accenture、Amazon Web Services 等，共同發揮區塊鏈技術之優勢，推動全球供應鏈的可持續性與公平性。此舉為小型生產者開拓了更佳的市場機會，並確保供應鏈產品的完整追蹤與驗證。此外，MasterCard 與合作夥伴共同推出區塊鏈食品供應鏈解決方案，注重食品的透明度、安全及品質。 **策略調整，重視隱私** MasterCard 在區塊鏈策略方面進行了多項調整：退出了 Ripple 合作夥伴 Earthport 的競標，及 Facebook Libra 聯盟。尤其在退出 Libra 後，公司進一步明確區塊鏈原則，強調監管標準、透明度和使用者隱私的重要性。 ![圖片來源：Pymnts](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/c12ecaccef3827d595ee4e8c1da804bcbd58d391d937660c06fa830e0630c7d6.png) 圖片來源：Pymnts ### 2020 **積極布局加密貨幣市場** BitPay 在美國推出預付 MasterCard，使加密貨幣在日常交易中更具實用性。同時，MasterCard 擴展對加密貨幣計劃的支援，並透過建立新平台協助試驗 CBDC，反映其對此產業的長期承諾。 **主流支付公司的策略與區塊鏈** 雖然 Visa 和 MasterCard 沒有計劃發行自家加密貨幣，但他們正大力推動加密貨幣的大規模採納，專注於支援現有的加密貨幣生態系。此外，透過區塊鏈，MasterCard 也致力於增強食品供應鏈的透明度與信任。 **加密貨幣對主流支付的衝擊與機會** MasterCard 主席認為，公司在加密專利的投資將帶來未來報酬率，特別是在 CBDC 推出時。此外，MasterCard 和 Visa 對 Pornhub 的支付封鎖，可能促使更多消費者轉向加密貨幣，對整體市場造成影響。 [https://twitter.com/MastercardNews/status/1285200864228118528](https://twitter.com/MastercardNews/status/1285200864228118528) ### 2021 **積極參與加密貨幣與區塊鏈產業** MasterCard 認識到加密貨幣支付的重要性，因此將其整合進自家網路，提供消費者更多選擇。不僅如此，該公司與 Island Pay 和 Gemini 合作，於巴哈馬推出 CBDC預付卡，並提供加密獎勵信用卡，強化其市場地位。 **投資區塊鏈技術與新創** MasterCard 購買區塊鏈分析公司 CipherTrace，並推出 Start Path 計劃支援區塊鏈新創企業。此外，該公司運用區塊鏈技術優化牛隻供應鏈，並為 CBDC 的部署做好基礎設施準備，體現其在此產業的創新力度。 **深化合作夥伴關係，提升加密貨幣交易效率** MasterCard 與 Evolve Bank & Trust 合作，簡化加密貨幣交易所的卡支付流程。同時，與 ConsenSys 合作，共同推進 Ethereum 的可伸縮性解決方案，促進交易速度和效率的提升。 ![圖片來源：Ledger Insights](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/13cee351dd36cff28982c86ac6c0176c557b7a814219f07fa0e0191c0cd1ef8e.png) 圖片來源：Ledger Insights ### 2022 **加強對新興金融科技的參與和領導** MasterCard 不僅擴展專業諮詢服務，專注於加密貨幣、開放銀行和 ESG 產業，幫助企業掌握新興產業的趨勢，還積極參與各種金融科技的創新與合作，如與 Nexo 推出全球首款由加密貨幣支撐的支付卡。 **倡導加密貨幣的安全性和普及性** MasterCard 領先同業，提供保護和支援。從確保 Mercado Libre 在巴西的加密生態系安全，到協助銀行提供加密貨幣交易，再到與 Coinbase 合作支持 NFT 支付，MasterCard 不斷努力使加密貨幣交易更加便利和安全。 **推動技術的多元化和創新合作** MasterCard 不僅與 Energy Web 合作，加入 Vodafone 的新 IoT 區塊鏈，更領導新的 Web3 和加密社群推廣，以確保技術的多元性和包容性。同時，透過提交 15 項與加密和元宇宙相關的商標申請，展示其對未來新興技術的積極部署。 ![圖片來源：CNBC](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8fa3f892668609b475c124f29e0502a44226b5fb5d8b69b140c18f94a39fd8ee.png) 圖片來源：CNBC ### 2023 **深耕數位藝術與音樂產業** MasterCard 啟動 Web3 Spotlight 計劃，旨在挖掘及支持數位音樂藝術家，同時推出免費的 NFT 和 Web3 音樂加速器，致力於提升藝術家在數位空間的能見度。 **加強區塊鏈與加密貨幣布局** 不僅在巴西與幣安合作推出加密 MasterCard 並擴大其加密卡合作，MasterCard 更申請區塊鏈相關商標，並宣布自家區塊鏈計劃，同時與業界巨頭合作推進 CBDC 的應用，顯示其在此產業的策略承諾。 **進行技術創新與合作擴展** 從與 Aussie Fintech Stables 和 Circle 合作，推出亞太首張穩定幣加密卡，到推出 AI 工具對抗詐騙，Mastercard 持續透過技術創新與策略合作，鞏固其在金融科技界的領導地位。 ![圖片來源：MasterCard](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/3cfc1c9ff09fc006dfc0520b0969ef9b1045522a533063cf92f885fb51ca3c07.png) 圖片來源：MasterCard 結論 -- 值得注意的是，MasterCard 不只是關注加密貨幣的支付應用，而是在多個維度（如供應鏈、數位藝術、食品透明度等）進行探索和創新。 特別是近年對於 Web3 和元宇宙的佈局，顯示了公司對新技術發展趨勢的敏銳度。 即使如此，我認為 MasterCard 在策略上表現得還是比 Visa 謹慎，也對於監管、透明度和隱私等議題有相當高度的關注。 整體來看，MasterCard 在區塊鏈領域展現出策略性的深度參與，也期待看到透過與 Visa 之間的良性競爭，產生更好的動能，促進加密產業的發展。 參考資料 ---- ### 2014 * [Xapo Bitcoin Debit Card to Launch This Month](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2014/06/04/xapo-bitcoin-debit-card-to-launch-this-month/) * [MasterCard To Charge New Fee For Token Usage](https://www.pymnts.com/news/2014/mastercard-to-charge-new-fee-for-token-usage/) ### 2015 * [Barry Silbert Launches Digital Currency Group With Funding From MasterCard, Others](https://techcrunch.com/2015/10/27/barry-silbert-launches-digital-currency-group-with-funding-from-mastercard-others/?guccounter=1) ### 2016 * [MasterCard on blockchain: 'We don't want to be blindsided'](https://www.businessinsider.com/mastercards-garry-lyons-davos-fintech-mastercardlabs-blockchain-bitcoin-2016-1) ### 2017 * [Mastercard CEO Attacks Bitcoin, Finds Solace in Government-Backed Cryptos](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-ceo-attacks-bitcoin-finds-solace-in-government-backed-cryptos) * [Mastercard launches its own blockchain payments network](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3234372/mastercard-launches-its-own-blockchain-payments-network.html) ### 2018 * [MasterCard Open To ‘Not Anonymous’, State-Issued Cryptocurrencies, All Others ‘Junk’](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-open-to-not-anonymous-state-issued-cryptocurrencies-all-others-junk) * [Mastercard Files Patent for Blockchain System to Secure Card Payments](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-files-patent-for-blockchain-system-to-secure-card-payments) * [Mastercard Patents Technology For Blockchain Payments On Credit Cards](https://www.lowyat.net/2018/166355/mastercard-patents-technology-for-blockchain-payments-on-credit-cards/) ### 2019 * [Accenture Collaborates with Mastercard, Amazon Web Services, Everledger, and Mercy Corps to Increase the Sustainability and Fairness of Global Supply Chains](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190225005287/en/Accenture-Collaborates-with-Mastercard-Amazon-Web-Services-Everledger-and-Mercy-Corps-to-Increase-the-Sustainability-and-Fairness-of-Global-Supply-Chains) * [Mastercard withdraws from VISA bidding war for Ripple partner Earthport](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/mastercard-withdraws-blockchain-earthport-ripple-visa/) * [Mastercard to release luxury goods anti-counterfeit blockchain, hiring blockchain staff](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/mastercard-blockchain-provenance-fashion-hiring-staff/) * [Mastercard Outlines Blockchain Principles After Leaving Libra](https://www.pymnts.com/mastercard/2019/mastercard-outlines-blockchain-principles-after-leaving-libra/) * [Facebook’s libra cryptocurrency coalition is falling apart as eBay, Visa, Mastercard and Stripe jump ship](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/11/ebay-drops-out-of-facebook-libra-cryptocurrency-one-week-after-paypal.html) * [Mastercard partners on blockchain-based food supply chain](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3448399/mastercard-partners-to-launch-blockchain-based-food-supply-chain.html) ### 2020 * [BitPay Launches Prepaid Mastercard in the United States](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200611005269/en/BitPay-Launches-Prepaid-Mastercard-in-the-United-States) * [Mastercard Expands Cryptocurrency Program for Crypto Card Issuers](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-expands-cryptocurrency-program-for-crypto-card-issuers) * [Visa, Mastercard Won't Issue Their Own Cryptocurrencies](https://cryptobriefing.com/visa-mastercard-wont-issue-their-own-cryptocurrencies/) * [Mastercard and Visa Are Making Bold Moves Toward Mass Crypto Adoption](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-and-visa-are-making-bold-moves-toward-mass-crypto-adoption) * [Mastercard builds platform to pilot central bank digital currencies](https://www.reuters.com/article/mastercard-cenbank-currency-idUSKBN2602RD) * [Hungry for information: How blockchain can build trust in food supply chains](https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2020/hungry-for-information-how-blockchain-can-build-trust-in-food-supply-chains/) * [How Mastercard's blockchain whiz has turned risk into opportunity](https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2020/how-mastercard-s-blockchain-whiz-has-turned-risk-into-opportunity/) * [Mastercard President Says Crypto Patents Will Pay Off When Central Bank Digital Currencies Arrive](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2020/11/02/mastercard-president-says-crypto-patents-will-pay-off-when-central-bank-digital-currencies-arrive/) * [MasterCard And Visa Also Block Pornhub Payments: Is This Good Or Bad For Crypto?](https://cryptopotato.com/mastercard-and-visa-also-block-pornhub-payments-is-this-good-or-bad-for-crypto/) ### 2021 * [Why Mastercard is bringing crypto onto its network](https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2021/why-mastercard-is-bringing-crypto-onto-our-network/) * [Mastercard, Island Pay launch CBDC prepaid card in Bahamas](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/mastercard-island-pay-launch-cbdc-prepaid-card-in-bahamas/) * [Mastercard and digital currency exchange Gemini to launch crypto rewards credit card](https://www.reuters.com/technology/mastercard-digital-currency-exchange-gemini-launch-crypto-rewards-credit-card-2021-04-27/) * [Mastercard blockchain adds visibility to cattle supply chain](https://supplychaindigital.com/technology/mastercard-blockchain-adds-visibility-cattle-supply-chain) * [Evolve Bank & Trust, Mastercard Announce Partnership to Simplify Card Payments for Cryptocurrency Exchanges](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evolve-bank-trust-mastercard-announce-120000998.html) * [Mastercard launches new Start Path cryptocurrency and blockchain program for startups](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2021/july/mastercard-launches-new-start-path-cryptocurrency-and-blockchain-program-for-startups/) * [Mastercard makes a big bet on crypto, buying blockchain analytics start-up CipherTrace](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/09/mastercard-to-buy-blockchain-analytics-start-up-ciphertrace.html) * [Mastercard expands cryptocurrency services with wallets, loyalty rewards](https://www.reuters.com/technology/mastercard-expands-cryptocurrency-services-with-wallets-loyalty-rewards-2021-10-25/) * [Mastercard is preparing its infrastructure for the deployment of CBDCs](https://cointelegraph.com/news/mastercard-is-preparing-its-infrastructure-for-the-deployment-of-cbdcs) * [ConsenSys launches Ethereum scalability solution, partnering with Mastercard](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/consensys-ethereum-scalability-zk-rollups-partnering-with-mastercard/) ### 2022 * [Mastercard expands consulting with practices dedicated to crypto, open banking and ESG](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/february/mastercard-expands-consulting-with-practices-dedicated-to-crypto-open-banking-and-esg/) * [Nexo and Mastercard launch 'world first' crypto-backed payment card](https://www.reuters.com/technology/nexo-mastercard-launch-world-first-crypto-backed-payment-card-2022-04-13/) * [Mastercard to secure Mercado Libre crypto ecosystem in Brazil](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/june/mastercard-to-secure-mercado-libre-crypto-ecosystem-in-brazil/) * [Mastercard makes it easier, safer to buy crypto](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/october/mastercard-makes-it-easier-safer-to-buy-crypto/) * [Mastercard will help banks offer cryptocurrency trading](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/mastercard-will-help-banks-offer-cryptocurrency-trading.html) * [Mastercard, Energy Web partner with Vodafone’s new IoT blockchain](https://www.ledgerinsights.com/mastercard-energy-web-partner-with-vodafones-new-iot-blockchain/) * [Mastercard spearheads new Web3 and crypto community alongside leading industry voices to make emerging tech more accessible to women and non-binary individuals](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/june/mastercard-spearheads-new-web3-and-crypto-community-alongside-leading-industry-voices-to-make-emerging-tech-more-accessible-to-women-and-non-binary-individuals/) * [Dubai's BitOasis signs deal with Mastercard for crypto-linked cards](https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/dubais-bitoasis-signs-deal-with-mastercard-crypto-linked-cards-2022-10-25/) * [Mastercard strikes NFT payments deal with Coinbase amid a wave of recent crypto partnerships](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/18/mastercard-strikes-nft-payments-deal-with-coinbase-amid-wave-of-crypto-partnerships.html) * [Mastercard filed 15 crypto and metaverse-related trademark applications. Here's a look at what the company may have in the works](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/mastercard-crypto-cryptocurrency-blockchain-metaverse-tech-patents-payments-art-finance-2022-4) ### 2023 * [Mastercard announces Web3 spotlight program to develop and launch emerging musical artists in the digital economy](https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2023/january/mastercard-announces-web3-spotlight-program-to-develop-launch-emerging-musical-artists-in-the-digital-economy/) * [Binance Unveils Prepaid Crypto Mastercard in Brazil](https://www.thestreet.com/cryptocurrency/binance-unveils-prepaid-crypto-mastercard-in-brazil) * [Visa Reaffirms Crypto Strategy, Mastercard Touts Blockchain](https://blockworks.co/news/visa-reaffirms-crypto-strategy-mastercard-touts-blockchain) * [Mastercard Drops Free NFTs, Launches Web3 Music Accelerator](https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2023/04/13/mastercard-drops-free-nfts-launches-web3-music-accelerator/) * [Mastercard seeks to expand crypto card tie-ups](https://www.reuters.com/technology/mastercard-seeks-expand-crypto-card-tie-ups-2023-04-28/) * [Mastercard applies for new blockchain tools trademarks](https://coingeek.com/mastercard-applies-for-new-blockchain-tools-trademarks/) * [Mastercard announces plan to launch its blockchain](https://www.cryptopolitan.com/mastercard-plans-to-launch-its-blockchain/) * [Aussie Fintech Stables in collaboration with Mastercard and Circle, launch first stablecoin crypto card](https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2023/06/27/mastercard-circle-stablecoin-crypto-card/) * [Mastercard Rolls Out AI Tool to Fight Fraud, But Will the Company Survive Tokenization?](https://beincrypto.com/mastercard-ai-tool-fraud-company-tokenization/) * [Mastercard Teams Up with Blockchain Giants For CBDC Program](https://www.cryptotimes.io/mastercard-teams-up-with-blockchain-giants-for-cbdc-program/) **延伸閱讀** -------- * [花旗銀行探索金融市場，看基礎設施的顛覆和轉型](https://mirror.xyz/lilcrowz.eth/7cD0-8cUrGK43foLdCvZHLRJWVnyyArUEqIUdn2dZL8) * [Visa 的區塊鏈革命：支付巨頭如何塑造未來金融](https://mirror.xyz/lilcrowz.eth/18MRLXRSmC8ATCcuK5AfNcUIqrcrCWspcKXYarC70So) * [法規與創新的交界點：SEC 與 BIS 如何塑造加密貨幣的未來](https://mirror.xyz/lilcrowz.eth/iu2NxZqJOBwX4e6FZv6Sn5WsQnlQBIBxXAdTtT4K-oE) ### **如果你喜歡這一類 Web3 相關的最新資訊，歡迎點擊下方按鈕訂閱。** [Subscribe](null) --- *Originally published on [小烏鴉Ma𝕏](https://paragraph.com/@soaringcrowz-2/mastercard)*