Mastercard collaborates with Crypto.com to launch cards in GCC

These Mastercard-backed cards aim to fill the void left by unavailable Visa-backed Crypto.com cards, offering rewards of up to 8% and payments in US dollars.

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Mastercard has partnered with Singapore-based Crypto.com to launch pre-paid payment cards in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The Mastercard-backed cards will fill a gap where Visa-backed Crypto.com cards are unavailable, offering cardholders rewards of up to 8% and payouts in US dollars. Users can fund their accounts via e-money wallets or third-party credit and debit cards through the Crypto.com app.

The partnership, announced on 4 December, will initially launch in Bahrain, with plans to expand to other GCC countries, including Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Mastercard emphasised the security of its network and its cutting-edge payment solutions, which will now support Crypto.com transactions across the region.

The GCC’s forward-thinking stance on cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies sets a strong foundation for such initiatives. This collaboration underscores the growing acceptance of crypto in mainstream payment systems, paving the way for more innovation in the financial sector.