Mastercard has added Solana to its global crypto program. Could this lead to a major breakout for th

Mastercard Launches Crypto Partner Program—Solana Joins PayPal, Ripple, Circle in 80-Company Push

Mastercard just brought 80+ crypto, fintech, and payments firms under one roof. The new global partnership program aims to stitch digital assets into traditional finance. Standout name? Solana—now rubbing shoulders with PayPal, Ripple, Circle, and Paxos.

The setup lets blockchain devs, financial institutions, and payment providers collaborate directly with Mastercard's team. Think blockchain efficiency + card networks. Some proofs-of-concept are already live—tech is leaving the lab.

Case in point: Kazakhstan's central bank launched a Solana-based stablecoin pegged to the tenge, tested via bank cards in a regulatory sandbox. Other use cases—stablecoin card settlements, self-custody wallets tied to bank cards—are also moving forward.

Competition-wise, Visa still dominates with ~90% of crypto card payments. Mastercard's play? Speed up ecosystem build-out and close the gap.

On price: SOL is hovering around $86, trading inside an ascending wedge since its February low. $92 is the short-term ceiling to watch. If it breaks and holds, $106 and $120 could be next. Below, $80–$75 range, with $70 as strong support.

As traditional finance moves on-chain, Solana's role in payments and stablecoins is getting a second look. Next up: institutional deals and real-world traction.