Mastercard, along with other payment processors like Visa and PayPal, is beginning to support cryptocurrency. These are the most significant crypto events in the company's history.

2015: Crypto companies attempt to issue credit cards via Mastercard without a partnership. Most attempts fail.

2015: Mastercard funds the Digital Currency Group, a major cryptocurrency and blockchain investment fund.

2016: Mastercard releases experimental blockchain APIs, intended for smart contracts and payment settlement without cryptocurrency.

2017: Mastercard expands those systems for B2B use.

2018: The firm sets up a merchant code for Bitcoin vendors, leading many to be considered "cash advance" services and resulting in extra fees.

2019: Mastercard publishes a job posting that reveals it is seeking to hire blockchain professionals. It also publishes its principles for blockchain partnerships and explains its withdrawal from Facebook's Libra (Diem) Association, which it previous joined as a founding member.

2019: Nexo and Revolut are among the first crypto companies to launch a Mastercard-branded payment card.

2020: Bitpay, Uphold, and Wirex launch each launch a Mastercard. In the summer, Mastercard announces that it is expanding its crypto partner program, allowing more crypto companies to issue payment cards.

2020: Mastercard releases a platform for central banks to test central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

February 2021: Mastercard announced that it plans to bring cryptocurrency payments to its platform. The firm "will start supporting select cryptocurrencies directly [its] our network," according to its website. The company later suggests that Bitcoin will not be part of this development due to its volatile price.

April 2021: Mastercard leads a $65 million fundraiser for the Ethereum development firm ConsenSys. Mastercard partners with Gemini to launch new crypto rewards credit card. 

May 2021: Mastercard publishes a study indicating that over 90% of people are willing to use emerging payments methods including cryptocurrency and other digital payments.