Global payments giant Mastercard has entered a strategic partnership with Yellow Card to advance stablecoin-based payment solutions across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA), with ambitions to scale globally.
Announced in Dubai on May 7, 2026, the collaboration will focus on developing practical applications for stablecoins in key areas such as cross-border remittances, business-to-business settlements, digital loyalty programs, and treasury operations. The two companies plan to work closely with banks, financial institutions, and regulators to pilot secure and compliant solutions aimed at improving transaction efficiency and lowering costs for both businesses and consumers.
As part of the initiative, joint working groups will be formed to identify high-impact use cases and build interoperable systems that integrate traditional financial services with blockchain-powered payments within Mastercard’s global network. Initial rollout markets include Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.
Chris Maurice, CEO of Yellow Card, emphasized the importance of local expertise in emerging markets, while Mete Güney, Executive Vice President for Market Development in EEMEA at Mastercard, said the partnership would help unlock new efficiencies in cross-border trade, B2B settlements, and digital asset security.
The alliance reflects Mastercard’s growing push into blockchain innovation and builds on Yellow Card’s role as a leading licensed stablecoin operator in Africa, positioning both firms at the forefront of next-generation digital finance.
