Mastercard to launch crypto-linked payment cards in Asia PacificI don't know where to put this news, really. I was thinking it could go for Press, and if you think it's better suited there I'll move it. But I feel like it's more for speculation and I'll tell why.
Mastercard has already a partnership with Wirex - I think that's way more than a year already - and they offer crypto cards from that partnership. They've also announced back in February that they'll make this new step.
So the news about partnership with Amber, CoinJar and Bitkub and the prospects to launch crypto cards in APAC is not that much of news, it's more.. for speculation / pump.
Following the partnership, consumers and merchants in the APAC region will soon be able to obtain crypto-backed Mastercard debit, credit, and prepaid cards. This access could simplify the use of cryptocurrencies for users in the region.
From what I know, crypto enthusiasts already have options for crypto cards in APAC region, but not the full variety (is TenX still in business?). I don't understand how crypto credit cards will work, will the credit be in crypto or fiat?
Also they're rather unclear if the merchants have the option to receive crypto or only fiat.
And I don't like that the
only option presented is conversion on-the-fly. I like to
also have the option to convert to fiat when I want to, before shopping/spending that fiat.
The market seems to have reacted greatly to this.. news (as I said, not really news), I'm curious what will happen when this program gets properly implemented.
We already have a new ATH. Will this move the price way beyond 70k? Or will a cool down happen? Or, actually, the buying pressure is big enough and the new ATH is not related to this news?