Mastercard Pushes Deeper Into Web3 With Human-Readable Crypto Usernames on Polygon

Mastercard is taking another decisive step toward mainstreaming digital assets with the expansion of its Crypto Credential program to self-custody wallets, introducing verified username-style aliases that replace the long strings of characters typically used for crypto transfers. The initiative represents one of the company’s most ambitious attempts yet to unify the ease of traditional payments with the autonomy of blockchain-based systems. Polygon supplies the blockchain infrastructure for the rollout, while payments firm Mercuryo oversees the identity-verification process and issues the aliases assigned to users.

At the core of the program is an effort to eliminate one of crypto’s most persistent usability roadblocks: the need to copy and paste intricate hexadecimal wallet addresses with absolute precision. Raj Dhamodharan, Mastercard’s executive vice president for blockchain and digital assets, described the system as a meaningful step toward building trust in digital-token transfers by simplifying how users interact with wallets and ensuring that verified participants can transact more confidently.

Through Mercuryo’s verification process, users can attach human-readable aliases to their self-custody wallets or request a soulbound token on Polygon that cryptographically affirms the identity behind a specific wallet. Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, characterized the partnership as a turning point for the broader ecosystem, arguing that “self-custody becomes simple” when trusted verification and straightforward addressing are seamlessly integrated.

Mercuryo’s role as the initial issuer reflects its focus on enabling secure yet intuitive crypto interactions without compromising wallet sovereignty. The system emphasizes safety for both retail and institutional users while preserving full control over private keys—an aspect increasingly demanded by experienced crypto holders wary of custodial services.

The launch marks the latest chapter in Mastercard’s rapid expansion across digital assets in 2024 and 2025. Over the past two years, the payments giant has partnered with Kraken to issue crypto debit cards throughout Europe and collaborated with MetaMask on a self-custody payments card designed to merge traditional spending habits with decentralized infrastructure. Mastercard is also working with Chainlink to let its three billion cardholders buy cryptocurrencies directly on-chain, supported by Web3 partners including Shift4 Payments, Swapper Finance, XSwap, and ZeroHash. ZeroHash provides the liquidity layer that converts fiat into Bitcoin, Ether, and other assets during these transactions.

One version of the new system, delivered through Swapper Finance, operates as a fully non-custodial solution. It uses account abstraction to create a payment experience that mirrors conventional financial interfaces while retaining the core principles of decentralized ownership. This combination of familiarity and autonomy is central to Mastercard’s broader push to bridge global payment networks with Web3 technologies.

The expansion of Crypto Credential signals rising institutional determination to close the user-experience gap that has long hindered crypto adoption. By giving individuals an easier way to identify wallets, verify ownership, and transact across chains, Mastercard is positioning itself at the forefront of a wave of hybrid financial infrastructure—one that blends the reliability of traditional payment rails with the openness of blockchain networks.