Thriller Rundown: Mastercard Supporting Crypto Not Bitcoin

<p>Mastercard to Support Cryptocurrency Payments in 2021</p> <p>Mastercard is moving beyond crypto cards to support direct payments in "select cryptocurrencies"—but not Bitcoin</p> <p>news coming from Jeff Benson via <a href="https://decrypt.co/57358/mastercard-to-support-cryptocurrency-payments-in-2021">Decrypt</a></p> <p>According to a source familiar with the matter, the functionality will see Mastercard customers’ digital currency payments settled in crypto at participating merchants, a first for the financial giant. The company has not yet disclosed which digital currencies it intends to support, or where.</p> <p>Mastercard will allow customer-to-merchant payments in cryptocurrency this year without the need to settle in fiat.</p> <p>The announcement makes clear that Mastercard is interested in integrating stablecoins rather than assets like Bitcoin.</p> <p>Visa has also mulled running cryptocurrencies on its network.</p> <p>'Very Unlikely' Central Banks Will Hold Bitcoin: ECB President</p> <p>news coming from Mathew Di Salvo via <a href="https://decrypt.co/55272/defi-market-cap-reaches-45-billion-as-token-prices-shoot-up">Decrypt</a></p> <p>The European Central Bank’s president, Christine Lagarde, has again made her stance on Bitcoin crystal clear.</p> <p>Lagarde today reportedly said central banks would not hold the currency in the near future.</p> <p>But the president did add that a digital version of the Euro could be ready within four years. </p> <p>The Aftermath of Tesla Buying 1.5 Billion of Bitcoin</p>