🚨 Coinbase couldn't close. Mastercard did.

Mastercard buys stablecoin platform BVNK for $1.8B — plus Citi cuts BTC and ETH targets, and U.S. banks build a tokenized deposit network on ZKsync. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Mastercard agrees to buy stablecoin platform BVNK for up to $1.8 billion ▲ Mastercard agreed to buy U.K.-based stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK for as much as $1.8 billion ▲ The deal is intended to link onchain stablecoin payments with Mastercard's global network for cross-border transfers, remittances and B2B transactions ▲ The acquisition follows failed talks between BVNK and Coinbase and is expected to close by year-end pending regulatory approvals Read the full story → Additional coverage Citigroup cuts BTC and ETH targets as U.S. crypto legislation stalls The Wall Street bank cited slower ETF flows, weak network activity, and a narrowing window for U.S. regulatory catalysts. Read more → U.S. regional banks building tokenized deposit network on ZKsync to rival stablecoins The Cari Network is targeting a 2026 rollout as banks including Huntington Bancshares, First Horizon, M&T Bank, KeyCorp, and Old National Bancorp test issuance, transfers, and redemption of digital deposits. Read more → 🎤 Don't just read crypto's top stories — experience them See all of CoinDesk's newsletters    CoinDesk, Inc., 61 9th Avenue, 5th Floor, New York,NY,10011,USA, Unsubscribe Manage Preferences   Copyright © 2026 CoinDesk, All rights reserved.