Mastercard

Mastercard operates a global payments network and provides technology for consumer and commercial payments, money movement, open finance and fraud prevention. Its services support financial institutions, merchants, businesses and governments. Mastercard Wallet Services gives banks, fintechs, merchants and digital platforms tools to add contactless payments to their apps. The offering includes software development kits and a Secure Element applet for Android and iOS, allowing partners to build wallet capabilities without managing separate integrations or EMVCo certifications.

The company traces its origins to a group of banks that formed the Interbank Card Association in 1966, establishing shared rules for authorization, clearing and settlement. Michael Miebach is Mastercard’s current CEO. Its enduring technical infrastructure includes Mastercard Digital Enablement Services, introduced in 2014: tokenization technology that supports contactless payments through partnerships with Apple, Google, Samsung and other wallet providers. Wallet Services builds on that infrastructure, with iOS contactless availability dependent on regional access to Apple’s NFC capabilities.

Mastercard’s scale extends beyond its own software: the company reported that its customers had issued 3.7 billion Mastercard- and Maestro-branded cards as of June 2026. It also completed its acquisition of BVNK in August 2026, expanding its capabilities in stablecoin payments alongside its established payment network.