TLDR
- ZeroHash is pursuing fresh funding at a valuation higher than $1.5 billion.
- Mastercard ended earlier investment plans after agreeing to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK.
- ZeroHash was valued at $1 billion in September 2025 after a $104 million funding round led by Interactive Brokers.
- The company serves more than 5 million users across 190 countries through embedded crypto and stablecoin infrastructure.
- Zero Hash Europe recently secured an EMI license from the Dutch Central Bank after already obtaining a MiCAR license.
ZeroHash is seeking fresh funding at a valuation above $1.5 billion after Mastercard stepped away from earlier investment plans, according to people familiar with the matter. The crypto infrastructure provider is moving ahead with a new capital raise as financial firms increase their focus on digital assets, stablecoins and tokenized markets.
Mastercard had previously considered investing in the Chicago-based company after earlier acquisition talks. Reports said a possible acquisition could have valued Zero Hash at up to $2 billion. The payments company later agreed to buy U.K.-based stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK in a $1.8 billion deal, ending its pursuit of Zero Hash.
Zerohash Seeks New Funding at Over $1.5 Billion Valuation After Mastercard Drops Investment Plans
Crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash is pursuing a new funding round at a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion after Mastercard abandoned plans to invest in the company following its… pic.twitter.com/8OiMANes12
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 19, 2026
ZeroHash is now targeting a valuation higher than the $1.5 billion level discussed earlier this year. The company was valued at $1 billion in September 2025 after raising $104 million in a Series D-2 round led by Interactive Brokers.
Mastercard Shifts Focus After BVNK Deal
Mastercard’s decision to drop its Zero Hash plans followed its agreement to acquire BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure company based in the United Kingdom. The BVNK deal gave Mastercard a direct route into stablecoin payment services as traditional payment companies expand their digital asset operations.
ZeroHash declined to comment on fundraising discussions, while Mastercard did not provide a public response by publication time. The withdrawal of Mastercard’s interest has not stopped Zero Hash from seeking new capital from other investors.
The funding effort comes during a busy period for crypto infrastructure companies. Exchanges, payment firms and fintech businesses have been looking for services that support custody, settlement, tokenization, trading and stablecoin payments.
ZeroHash Expands Institutional Crypto Services
Founded in 2017, Zero Hash provides application programming interfaces and embedded tools that allow banks, brokerages and fintech platforms to offer crypto products. Its services support digital asset trading, stablecoin transactions and tokenization tools for business clients.
The company says its platform serves more than 5 million users across 190 countries. Its client base includes Morgan Stanley, Stripe, Interactive Brokers, Franklin Templeton, DraftKings and BlackRock’s BUIDL fund.
In May 2026, new details emerged around Zero Hash’s partnership with Morgan Stanley. The arrangement allows wealth management clients to access Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana through Morgan Stanley platforms, while Zero Hash provides the embedded backend infrastructure.
Zero Hash has also pursued a stronger regulatory position in the United States and Europe. The company applied to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter. If approved, the charter could help Zero Hash seek access to a Federal Reserve master account, which may support faster movement between fiat and digital assets.
European Licenses Add to Growth Plans
Zero Hash Europe secured an Electronic Money Institution license from the Dutch Central Bank on May 18, 2026. The company had already obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation license, making it the first crypto infrastructure firm to hold both authorizations in Europe.
The dual licensing structure allows Zero Hash to process electronic money and stablecoin payment flows across the European Economic Area. That position may help the company serve banks, payment firms and financial technology platforms seeking regulated crypto infrastructure in the region.
Investor interest in crypto infrastructure has grown as large financial institutions build digital asset products for clients. Rather than launching standalone crypto platforms, many firms use backend providers such as Zero Hash to add trading, custody, settlement and compliance tools to existing services.
Be the first to comment