- Kraken has partnered with Mastercard to launch crypto debit cards in the UK and Europe, enabling users to spend digital assets at over 150 million merchants.
- The move strengthens Kraken’s push into mainstream finance, ahead of its planned 2026 IPO.
In a bold move to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Mastercard. The collaboration will soon allow users across the UK and Europe to spend their crypto and stablecoins at over 150 million merchants worldwide.
Kraken plans to launch both physical and digital debit cards, which will be linked to users’ crypto wallets and seamlessly integrated with Kraken Pay, the exchange’s cross-border payment platform introduced earlier this year. The new offering aims to make crypto spending as easy as swiping a card, allowing holders of digital assets to use them for everyday purchases—from groceries to travel.
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Kraken Pay already supports transactions in over 300 crypto and fiat currencies, further expanding the real-world usability of crypto. The platform has gained momentum, with more than 200,000 users activating their “Kraktags”, unique identifiers tied to their wallets that simplify global transfers.
With a customer base of over 15 million, Kraken is leveraging Mastercard’s global payment network to push digital currencies further into the mainstream. “Crypto is transforming the payments industry,” said Kraken Co-CEO David Ripley. “Our customers want to pay for goods and services with their crypto. This partnership with Mastercard brings that vision closer to reality.”
The news comes as Kraken gears up for a potential IPO in 2026, buoyed by what it perceives as a more favorable regulatory environment. Recently, the SEC agreed to drop its lawsuit against Kraken, a move that removes a major obstacle from the exchange’s path to public markets.
Kraken has also received an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, allowing it to issue e-money and strengthen its foothold in the UK financial system.
With major players like Mastercard entering the crypto payments space, the line between traditional banking and blockchain is rapidly blurring—marking a significant milestone in the global adoption of digital assets.
