Payments firm Mastercard recently announced the launch of Start Path, its new global startup engagement program aimed at helping accelerate cryptocurrency and blockchain startups.
The Start Path accelerator program will help “to expand and accelerate innovation around digital asset technology and make it safer and easier for people and institutions to buy, spend and hold cryptocurrencies and digital assets,” Mastercard said in its official press release.
According to Mastercard, the Start Path accelerator program now joins seven crypto firms including GK8, a self-managed end-to-end institutional crypto custody platform; Mintable, a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace; SupraOracles, a Switzerland-based blockchain oracle; STACS, a blockchain infrastructure firm building for the financial industry; Domain Money, a next-generation investment platform bridging digital assets and traditional finance for retail investors; Taurus, an enterprise-grade infrastructure firm managing digital assets, and Uphold, a crypto-native, multi-asset digital money platform.
The collaboration pushes forward in a bid to support “fast-growing digital assets, blockchain and cryptocurrency companies.” The portfolio of collaborating firms will continue to develop and is open for applications from eligible startups.
“As a leading technology player, we believe we can play a key role in digital assets, helping to shape the industry, and provide consumer protections and security. Part of our role is to forge the future of cryptocurrency, and we’re doing that by bridging mainstream financial principles with digital assets innovations.” shared Jess Turner, executive vice president of New Digital Infrastructure and Fintech at Mastercard.
As a global technology company, Mastercard connects and powers transactions across a digital economy serving individual users, financial institutions, governments, and businesses in over 210 countries.
The Start Path accelerator program began in 2014 and has had over 250 participating startups. The accelerator program now expands to support crypto, blockchain, and digital assets startups, with Mastercard helping provide tools, solutions, and industry expertise to scale companies and the technologies they offer.Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
