Mastercard selects Polygon to power verified usernames for self-custody crypto wallets

Mastercard is taking another major step into blockchain innovation by partnering with Polygon to introduce verified, human-readable usernames for self-custody crypto wallets. The initiative, announced Tuesday, is designed to simplify crypto transfers, enhance security, and make digital asset tools more accessible to mainstream users.

A new identity layer for crypto transactions

At the core of the rollout is Mastercard Crypto Credential, a new system that standardizes how blockchain wallet addresses are verified. Instead of sending crypto to long, error-prone alphanumeric strings, users will be able to send assets to a verified username, similar to how today’s mobile payment apps use simple aliases instead of bank account details.

To enable this, Mastercard has integrated Polygon’s high-speed, low-cost blockchain infrastructure as the settlement layer for these credential-based transfers.

Mercuryo to handle identity verification

The system incorporates identity verification through Mercuryo, a leading crypto payment API provider. Mercuryo will:

• Verify users’ identities
  
• Issue human-readable aliases
  
• Bind those aliases to the users’ on-chain credentials and self-custody wallets
  

Users can also request a Polygon-based token that signals their wallet is compatible with verified transfers, helping apps and services route transactions correctly.

Designed for mainstream adoption

Crypto wallet addresses—long strings of characters easy to mistype—continue to present a major onboarding hurdle for new users. Some companies have already introduced QR codes or naming services to make transfers more intuitive, but Mastercard’s verification-centric approach adds a trust layer that has been largely missing.

“By streamlining wallet addresses and adding meaningful verification, Mastercard Crypto Credential is building trust in digital token transfers,” said Raj Dhamodharan, Executive Vice President of Blockchain & Digital Assets at Mastercard. “Bringing Mercuryo and Polygon’s capabilities together with our infrastructure makes digital assets more accessible and reinforces Mastercard’s commitment to delivering secure, intuitive, and scalable blockchain experiences for consumers worldwide.”

Polygon brings speed and scalability

Polygon’s network will play a central role in processing these alias-based transfers. According to Mastercard, the blockchain’s high throughput and low fees make it suitable for real-world payment environments where scale and responsiveness are essential.

Toward a more user-friendly crypto ecosystem

With Mastercard, Polygon, and Mercuryo collaborating on this identity-backed credential system, crypto transfers may soon feel more familiar—and less intimidating—to millions of potential users. By replacing complex wallet addresses with simple names and adding verified on-chain identity, the companies aim to bridge the gap between traditional finance and self-custody digital assets.