Mastercard is expanding its global settlement network to support regulated stablecoins and onchain settlement alongside traditional fiat processes, creating an always-on, 24/7 settlement capability.

Initial stablecoins highlighted for use include Circle’s USDC, Paxos-issued PYUSD, USDG, and USDP, as well as Ripple’s RLUSD and SoFiUSD, with broad cross-network support.

Issuers and acquirers will be able to process transactions across networks such as ETH, SOL, POL, Base, ARB, and XRPL using these stablecoins.

The shift is framed as an inevitable move toward real-time pricing and 24/7 settlements, transforming hedge funds and traders who no longer face weekend or holiday gaps.

The initiative is presented as a major modernization of financial infrastructure, replacing traditional banking pauses with continuous blockchain settlement.

The rollout builds on prior pilots and Live deployments, with a broad timeline into 2026, expanding regions, partners, and assets as regulation and readiness permit.

Executives emphasize intraday, weekend, and holiday settlement to improve liquidity management and cross-border clarity.

The goal is real-time, continuous settlement of card transactions, reducing delays tied to standard banking hours.

Raj Dhamodharan, EVP of Blockchain & Digital Assets, underscores practical use cases where timing and liquidity matter, with settlement as a key factor.

Dhamodharan adds that the next phase of stablecoin adoption centers on real-world utility in settlement, not just trading.

The blueprint envisions extending beyond card transactions to stock settlements on blockchain rails, indicating broader 24/7 market activity.

While no precise dates are given, the focus remains on the ongoing transition and its anticipated impact on markets and users.