Crypto infrastructure firm Zerohash is pursuing a new funding round at a valuation above $1.5 billion, after Mastercard walked away from plans to invest in the company. The pullback follows Mastercard's $1.8 billion acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK, which made a direct stake in Zerohash redundant.
Why it matters
Zerohash was last valued at $1 billion following a $104 million Series D-2 round in September 2025, led by Interactive Brokers. The targeted step-up to $1.5B-plus marks roughly a 50% markup in under a year — credible for a firm expanding custody and settlement rails, but the loss of Mastercard as a strategic backer is a visible downgrade from a major payments partner.
Market impact
Mastercard's pivot to BVNK consolidates stablecoin infrastructure spending inside one acquisition rather than spreading it across minority bets, a signal that TradFi entrants increasingly prefer owned assets over strategic investments. For Zerohash, the next raise tests whether the company can land a comparable institutional anchor to replace Mastercard's signal value.
Frequently asked questions
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Why did Mastercard drop its investment plans in Zerohash?
Mastercard scrapped the planned investment after closing its $1.8 billion acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK, which made a direct minority stake in Zerohash strategically redundant.
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What valuation is Zerohash targeting in the new round?
Zerohash is pursuing fresh funding at a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion, up from its previous $1 billion mark after a $104 million Series D-2 led by Interactive Brokers in September 2025.
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How much of a step-up is the new valuation from the prior round?
The targeted $1.5B-plus mark represents roughly a 50% markup over the $1 billion valuation Zerohash carried after its September 2025 Series D-2.
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What does Zerohash do in crypto infrastructure?
Zerohash provides custody and settlement rails for digital assets, positioning itself as backend infrastructure that TradFi and crypto firms integrate rather than a consumer-facing exchange.
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What does Mastercard's BVNK acquisition signal for the sector?
The $1.8B deal suggests major TradFi entrants prefer owning stablecoin infrastructure outright rather than taking minority strategic stakes, concentrating capital in fewer, larger acquisitions.
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