2026-01-20 17:03:15

There are reports that payment giant Mastercard and blockchain infrastructure provider Zerohash have held in-depth discussions about potential collaboration prospects. Earlier, the two sides also discussed a full acquisition, with Zerohash's valuation once estimated at around $2 billion. However, Zerohash ultimately decided to continue operating independently, and the acquisition plan was thus shelved.

Interestingly, although the acquisition negotiations fell through, the enthusiasm for cooperation between the two companies has not cooled. Currently, they are exploring more flexible investment methods—this form of strategic investment allows Zerohash to maintain its independence while providing Mastercard with an opportunity to engage in the blockchain ecosystem. Zerohash has explicitly stated that it will坚持自主发展道路 (坚持自主发展道路 - stick to independent development), while continuing to deepen strategic interactions with traditional financial institutions. This shift may better align with the current survival philosophy of Web3 projects: not being acquired, but dancing with giants.

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MEV_Whisperer

· 4h ago

Zerohash played this round very smartly, securing a $2 billion valuation without being acquired, and now they can continue dancing with Mastercard. This is negotiation at its best. Not being swallowed up and still receiving investment shows that Web3 people have indeed learned to be clever. This move has the right feel—wanting independence but also seeking funding from big backers, striking a perfect balance. Honestly, it's much better than being directly acquired; maintaining autonomy is the key. Turning an acquisition into an investment, Zerohash has figured out the big institutions' mindset. They just don't want to be eliminated, and Mastercard understands this too—it's a win-win situation. This is what it means to understand survival: not selling out but still able to raise funds.

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CryptoWageSlave

· 5h ago

This is the smart way to live, retaining control while having the backing of big players—winning big.

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ChainProspector

· 5h ago

Smart move, this way you can latch onto the big players without losing independence. Zerohash's strategy is quite clever. It's truly "I want money but I won't sell out," even $2 billion couldn't shake this stance—it's really tough. Mastercard is also considerate, knowing they can't acquire directly, so they switch tactics. Anyway, in the end, they still aim to enter the blockchain ecosystem. This is the kind of Web3 that should exist—benefits are balanced, each side gets what they need, and it won't be completely swallowed by capital. Zerohash's demonstration has a significant impact; there will be many projects following this approach. Honestly, current fundraising is just an art of storytelling—how you tell the story is everything. Maintaining independence while still attracting investment—dreams are made of this, but this time, the dream has truly come true.

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FallingLeaf

· 5h ago

Clever move, this way you retain independence while riding on the Mastercard's coattails. This is the kind of strategy Web3 should be playing.

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