🏄 Grow your portfolio even on vacation with InvestingPro | Summer Sale 50% OFFCLAIM SALE

MasterCard and Binance end joint crypto-card projects amid regulatory scrutiny

Published 2023-08-31, 02:28 a/m
MasterCard and Binance end joint crypto-card projects amid regulatory scrutiny

MasterCard and Binance end joint crypto-card projects amid regulatory scrutiny

MasterCard and Binance have decided to terminate their joint crypto-card initiatives in Bahrain, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil, effective from September 22, 2023. The crypto-cards, which allowed users to execute payments in conventional currencies, were facilitated by their crypto reserves within the Binance exchange.

Speculations are rife that the decision to cease the partnership was influenced by Binance's recent confrontations with U.S. regulatory bodies - the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Earlier this year, both agencies filed lawsuits against Binance. The allegations encompassed a variety of issues including mingling user funds and operating without proper registration as a securities broker or exchange.

The SEC leveled 13 charges against Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, alleging that the company combined billions of dollars of customer funds with its own resources. These claims echo those made against the now insolvent crypto exchange FTX. Binance has refuted these allegations and recently filed a protective order against the SEC, arguing that the regulator's information requests were overly extensive and burdensome.

In Brazil, where MasterCard is ending its association with Binance's crypto card, authorities have also accused the company of engaging in a pyramid scheme.

Despite ending its collaboration with Binance, MasterCard continues to pursue other crypto-related products and services. It is actively involved in a central bank digital currency pilot alongside crypto enterprises such as Fireblocks, ConsenSys, and Ripple.

Visa (NYSE:V) also cut ties with Binance earlier this year, discontinuing its co-branded card collaboration in Europe in July. Additionally, Checkout.com reportedly ended its business relationship with Binance due to concerns about regulatory actions, jurisdictional orders, partner inquiries and apprehensions regarding the company's adherence to anti-money laundering, sanctions and compliance protocols.

3rd party Ad. Not an offer or recommendation by Investing.com. See disclosure here or remove ads.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Is MA truely undervalued?

With MA making headlines, investors are asking: Is it truly valued fairly? InvestingPro's advanced AI algorithms have analyzed MA alongside thousands of other stocks to uncover hidden gems with massive upside. And guess what? MA wasn't at the top of the list.

Unlock ProPicks AI

Latest comments

Loading next article…
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.