Mastercard accelerates crypto strategy with acquisition of crypto intelligence firm

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) agrees to acquire CipherTrace, a cryptocurrency intelligence company that tracks more than 900 cryptocurrencies, accelerating the credit card network's crypto-related strategy as more people embrace digital assets. Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the year. "The integrated offering will build on CipherTrace’s suite of digital assets and Mastercard’s (MA) cyber security solutions to provide businesses with greater transparency to help identify and understand their risks and to help manage their digital asset regulatory and compliance obligations," Mastercard said in a statement. The deal allows Mastercard (MA) to combine the technology, artificial intelligence, and cyber capabilities of both companies to differentiate its card and real-time payments infrastructure, allowing customers and stakeholders to protect their consumers and comply with regulations, as they build their own virtual asset offerings, Mastercard said. In July, Mastercard launched Start Path, a program for cryptocurrency