Mastercard Picks Polygon to Bring Verified Usernames to Self-Custody Wallets

Mastercard (MA) has chosen Polygon to power a new system that lets people send crypto to verified usernames instead of long wallet addresses, the companies said on Tuesday.

Mastercard Crypto Credential standardizes how blockchain addresses are verified by enabling human-readable aliases that correspond to a verified individual, the company said in a an emailed press release.

Mercuryo, a crypto payment API firm, will perform identity verification and issue the aliases, which users can then link to their self-custody wallets.

The approach, which mirrors how people send money through apps that use usernames instead of bank details, involves issuing users a unique name they can connect to their wallet. They can also request a token on Polygon that shows their wallet supports verified transfers and helps apps route credential-based transactions.

The long, complex nature of crypto wallet addresses can prove a barrier to entry for new users, which companies have attempted to tackle with more user-friendly options like QR codes or services that replace complex strings with simple, readable names or even phone numbers.

“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’s network will process these transfers at speed and with low fees. Mastercard said the network can handle a high throughput capable of supporting real-world payments at scale.