Vice President - Product Management, Stablecoins
About the job
- Proven experience building and managing strategic partnerships, including commercial negotiations, relationship management, ecosystem development, and execution with financial institutions, fintechs, technology providers, or digital asset participants.
- Strong knowledge of and interest in the blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital asset space.
- Experience in the payments industry with an in-depth understanding of payment solutions across market segments, including familiarity with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Experience bringing new products to market, including concept definition and validation, business requirements definition, and working in cross-functional teams in line with established product development processes.
- Demonstrated success bringing new products and capabilities to market, including developing go-to-market strategies, pricing and business models, customer acquisition plans, partner enablement programs, and adoption growth initiatives.
- Commercial insight and experience building value propositions for all participants in a payments ecosystem, including Mastercard, its customers, and partners.
- Written and verbal communication skills to simplify and describe complex concepts and technologies to audiences with varied knowledge, and to communicate vision and roadmaps effectively to a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurial attitude with the ability to learn quickly, adapt to a changing market landscape, challenge the status quo, and work independently.
- Analytical skills and sound judgment to digest complex problems and take thoughtful risks.
- A strong track record of leading and developing talent.
- Compliance with Mastercard’s security policies and practices, protection of the confidentiality and integrity of accessed information, reporting suspected security violations or breaches, and completion of mandatory security training.
- Lead Mastercard's strategic relationship with Open Standard and its member ecosystem, representing the company on commercial, product, and governance matters to drive alignment on product strategy, ecosystem growth, operating models, and long-term network objectives.
- Represent Mastercard in Open Standard governance and strategic decision-making, helping shape product roadmaps, commercialization models, operating frameworks, and market expansion initiatives while ensuring alignment with Mastercard's strategic, regulatory, and network objectives.
- Lead the development and commercialization of Mastercard's wholesale on- and off-ramp capabilities, enabling regulated financial institutions and Open Standard participants to mint, redeem, custody, and move tokenized money between fiat and blockchain-based networks at scale.
- Drive strategic partnerships with stablecoin issuers, financial institutions, fintechs, infrastructure providers, and other ecosystem participants to expand Mastercard's stablecoin capabilities, accelerate market adoption, and create mutually beneficial commercial outcomes.
- Lead negotiations with stablecoin issuers and issuers of other tokenized forms of money globally to ensure alignment and commercial viability, and enable existing and new Mastercard products and services such as remittances, payouts, and B2B payments.
- Drive the adoption, growth, and commercialization of Open Standard and other compliant stablecoins across Mastercard products and services by identifying use cases, distribution opportunities, customer segments, and ecosystem partnerships.
- Lead product and business engagements with third-party and distributed blockchains to facilitate payment product enablement and mutually beneficial business outcomes.
- Develop solution concepts with strategic fit and value for Mastercard's customers and partners, including ideation, definition, design, and development of blockchain and digital asset solutions.
- Experience building and contributing to well-known blockchain or cryptocurrency projects.
- Treasury and transaction banking experience.
About the company
Mastercard operates a global payments network that enables people and businesses to pay with cards and digital methods. Banks issue Mastercard-branded debit and credit cards, and Mastercard’s network authorizes transactions, clears them between banks, and settles funds, allowing merchants to receive payments securely and quickly. The company differentiates itself by leveraging a worldwide alliance of banks and merchants, transitioning from a cooperative of banks to a publicly traded company via its 2006 IPO, and continuously expanding its reach through partnerships and new payment technologies. Mastercard’s goal is to provide fast, secure, and convenient cross-border payment services and to grow its share of the global payments market by enabling merchants and customers to transact smoothly anywhere in the world.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Town of Harrison, New York
Founded
2007
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue rose 14% to $9.3 billion, with cross-border volume up 12%.
- Kroger's September 30, 2026 Mastercard launch extends co-branded spending into grocery loyalty.
- BMO's October 1, 2026 embedded virtual cards deepen Mastercard's corporate workflow capture.
What critics are saying
- UK courts upheld merchants' antitrust claims in 2026, threatening Mastercard interchange economics.
- January 2026 cuts hit 4% of staff, exposing execution pressure after strategic review.
- Agentic commerce can bypass cards entirely if merchants default to bank rails and stablecoins.
What makes Mastercard unique
- Mastercard spans 200+ countries, giving issuers and merchants a near-universal acceptance network.
- Agent Pay and Agent Pay for Machines make Mastercard the trust layer for AI commerce.
- Commercial Express, Start Path, and embedded payments turn the network into enterprise software.
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Benefits
New Parent Leave
Inclusive Family Building Benefit
Employee Family Resource Program
Bereavement Leave
Dependent Scholarship
Employee Assitance Fund
Business Resource Groups
Employee Recognition
Flexible Work
Tuition Assistance
Travel Assistance
Matching Charitable Gifts
Company News
Kroger launches rewards Mastercard with Imprint. By Aina Ibrahim October 3, 2026 Kroger has launched the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard, a co-branded credit card developed with fintech company Imprint and Mastercard. The new card offers shoppers points at five times the rate of their purchases when shopping through Kroger.com or the Kroger app. The card integrates with Kroger's existing loyalty program, providing tiered rewards for fuel, in-store purchases, dining, and travel, along with a \$100 welcome bonus for new cardholders. The strategy behind the card. "At Kroger, we're always looking for new ways to help customers save," said Megan Shaffer, group vice president of customer growth and strategy. "From weekly grocery trips to filling up at the pump or paying bills, the Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard turns purchases into real savings." Imprint's Daragh Murphy emphasized the partnership's goal of creating a card customers use daily. "Together, we set out to turn that loyalty into a card customers reach for every day, one that rewards the weekly Kroger trip and everything in between, with the modern, seamless experience they expect." The card positions Kroger at No. 7 in the Top 2000 Database for North America's largest online retailers by annual ecommerce sales, and No. 1 in the Food & Beverage category. However, it competes with higher-ranked mass merchants like Walmart and Target in online grocery sales. Mastercard's Kiki Del Valle highlighted the card's potential to reduce friction in everyday transactions. "Grocery spending is one of the most consistent and essential parts of life," she said. "Together with Kroger and Imprint, we've created a seamless rewards experience that helps shoppers earn more on the purchases they already make, turning regular grocery trips into meaningful savings." Digital shift and data control. Serhii Nikolaichuk, founder of The Capital Index, views the card as more than traditional credit: "It's a delivery app with a bank attached." He notes that richest point tiers apply to Kroger.com and app purchases, compared to up to 3X for in-store transactions. Combined with free Boost delivery membership in the Kroger app, this signals a broader strategy. "Kroger is paying shoppers to move from the aisle to the screen, where it can see every basket and plan the next one," Nikolaichuk explained. The fintech partnership also serves a larger purpose. With Imprint managing the card and a bank issuing it, Kroger maintains direct customer relationships and controls the data and experience. "The bank becomes plumbing," Nikolaichuk said. "Amazon and Target already proved to grocers that the card can function as the loyalty program; now, Nikolaichuk said, that card lives inside the grocer's own app." Looking ahead, Nikolaichuk sees artificial intelligence as the next frontier. "When an assistant builds the weekly cart, it will pay with whatever card is already on file, and it will follow the points." The grocer controlling the app, card, and data claims the default position. "The real prize is not the next swipe, but the next year of automatic reorders," he added. Compared to competitors, Kroger's rewards appear competitive on the surface. Amazon and Target set shopper expectations for roughly 5% back. However, Nikolaichuk cautions that points are only as valuable as what they can purchase - primarily fuel and groceries within Kroger's ecosystem. "For a loyal Kroger household that already fills up at Kroger gas stations, he said, that can beat a general cash-back card." "Kroger isn't buying loyalty at the checkout," he added. "It's buying the default for the day an AI agent does the shopping." Market challenges and opportunities. Francesco Onorato, director of growth at Brandmovers, considers Kroger's integration of store credit with its loyalty program a smart move. "What's interesting is that Kroger is focusing high-value incentives on orders made through the app and including free delivery as part of the offer," he noted. "This strategy uses payments as a means of guiding shoppers out of the aisles and into the digital channels." Onorato identifies the key question as whether this approach will succeed in today's competitive grocery and retail market. "A reliable, engaging and personalized online shopping experience is going to be the true test of how their bet will pay off," he said.
V+O Communication Serbia | SEC Newgate the only IPRA award winner from Serbia. The agency won gold in the Industrials category at the IPRA Golden World Awards 2026 in Athens for its communication surrounding the acquisition and rebranding of the Falkensteiner hotel into ZiJin Hotel Belgrade. Reading Time: 3 mins read Changing the hotel's name was not the only change that needed to be communicated. When the renowned Belgrade Falkensteiner became ZiJin Hotel Belgrade through an acquisition, communication had to accompany the business transition during a period of a complex reputational and socio-political environment in Serbia. For the strategic management of that process, V+O Communication Serbia | SEC Newgate won a gold award at this year's IPRA Golden World Awards 2026 in Athens, in the Industrials category. The agency is also the only winner of a gold IPRA award from Serbia this year. The communication strategy was focused on preserving the trust of key publics and the stable positioning of the new hotel brand. It included reputation management, direct communication with key stakeholders and communication through social media. A cultural concept was also developed that connected elements of Serbian and Chinese culture through art. For the agency, this is the second consecutive year of winning an international IPRA award. "I am particularly proud of our team, which has won this prestigious international recognition for the second year in a row. For us, it is confirmation that through a strategic approach, expertise and an understanding of a complex business and reputational environment, we create communications that have a concrete impact. Our strength lies precisely in our people and the expertise we build locally, but also in the support of the global SEC Newgate network, which enables us to apply knowledge, experience and best practices from different markets in our work with clients. This award gives us additional motivation to continue raising professional standards and creating communication solutions that deliver real value," said Natalija Racković, Director of V+O Communication Serbia | SEC Newgate. Five gold awards for V+O Group | SEC Newgate The award for the project carried out in Serbia is part of the broader success of V+O Group | SEC Newgate, which won a total of five gold awards and the Global Contribution Award at this year's IPRA Golden World Awards. The project Landmarks of Connection Photo Exhibition for LAMDA Development won gold in the Event Management and Live Communication - Agency category, while Hellenic Championship: Greece Back on Tennis Map for Legacy International received an award in the Sport - Agency category. The project AKTOR4TheFuture for AKTOR Group was awarded in the Corporate Responsibility - Agency category. The ReStart programme by Mastercard won gold in the Environmental, Social and Governance - Agency category, as well as the Global Contribution Award, a special recognition intended for initiatives that make a significant contribution to achieving one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. "This year's recognitions represent a great honour for our teams and clients who place their trust in us to design communication with real business and social impact. It is particularly significant that the awarded projects come from different markets, sectors and areas of activity, confirming the value of strategic thinking and creativity when combined with an understanding of stakeholders and social trends. The total of 22 recognitions that the Group has won at the IPRA Golden World Awards represent significant confirmation of the quality of our work, as well as the ability of a company that originated in Greece to continuously achieve international recognition," said Teti Kanelopulu, Group CEO, V+O | SEC Newgate. This year's ceremony was held in Athens, a city that holds a special place in the history of public relations. It was there, in 1965, that the Code of Athens, one of the key international ethical documents in the field of public relations, was adopted.
True Damage returns for the 2026 League of Legends World Championship Anthem "know My Name" In a nutshell * True Damage returns with the 2026 League of Legends World Championship anthem,"Know My Name," arriving on October 8. * The track features SOYEON, Coco Jones, Vic Mensa, and Sofía Reyes, bringing the iconic virtual group back together. * True Damage will perform live during the Worlds 2026 Opening Ceremony on November 14 at the Barclays Center in New York. Riot Games has officially announced the return of True Damage, the beloved virtual hip-hop collective from the League of Legends universe, to perform the 2026 League of Legends World Championship Anthem, titled "Know My Name." The track will launch on October 8 at 6:00 PM PT across major streaming platforms alongside its official music video premiere. True Damage reunites after 2019's GIANTS. Originally introduced in 2019, True Damage quickly became one of Riot's most popular virtual music projects thanks to its debut single,"GIANTS." The track has accumulated more than 230 million streams across platforms, helping establish the group as one of gaming's most recognizable music acts. Within the League of Legends universe, True Damage consists of: * Akali (rapper) * Ekko (rapper) * Qiyana (vocalist/rapper) * Senna (vocalist) * Yasuo (DJ/producer) "Know My Name" celebrates the ambition, individuality, and competitive spirit that define the World Championship while reflecting the journey players take to reach esports' biggest stage. Star-Studded lineup brings the collective back to life. The 2026 iteration of True Damage features an impressive lineup of international artists: * SOYEON of i-dle returns as Akali * Coco Jones voices Senna * Vic Mensa voices Ekko * Sofía Reyes voices Qiyana Taking Center stage at Worlds 2026. The group is set to appear during the 2026 League of Legends World Championship Opening Ceremony, presented by Mastercard, on November 14 at the Barclays Center in New York. This year's World Championship will be held in the United States, with the Play-In Stage beginning on October 15 in Los Angeles before culminating in the tournament's championship festivities in New York. Chris garcia. Editor in Chief Father. Gamer. Editor in Chief.Not a Trophy or Achievement hunter but plays games by the boatload!Would love to see a Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Lufia, and/or Breath of Fire 2 remake done in his lifetime.Contact One More Game at [email protected]
2026 Sponsorship Excellence Awards winners announced. Industry leaders across agencies, properties, brands and innovators recognized for excellence at the 2026 Sponsorship Mastery Summit in Nashville NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 1, 2026 (Newswire.com) - The Sponsorship Marketing Association (SMA) is proud to announce the winners of the 5th annual Sponsorship Excellence Awards, celebrated at the Sponsorship Mastery Summit in Nashville, September 28-30. The following awardees were recognized: Myles Gallagher, CEO of The Superlative Group, received the Hall of Fame Award. As a 42-year veteran, Myles has built one of the world's most respected naming rights and sponsorship consultancies, negotiating more than $4 billion on behalf of clients across professional sports, higher education, healthcare, and cultural institutions. Momentum received the Agency of the Year Award. As the world's leading global experience agency, Momentum delivered its biggest year yet in 2025, executing disruptive activations at the FIFA Club World Cup, Super Bowl, and F1. CMA Fest received the Property of the Year Award. As the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, CMA Fest draws 100,000 daily fans to Nashville, generating 123 billion media impressions and $86 million in direct visitor spending while giving $2 million back to music education. Athletic Brewing Company received the Sponsor of the Year Award. As the number one non-alcoholic beer brand in the United States, Athletic transformed non-alcoholic beer into one of the fastest-growing partnership categories. DIGIDECK received the Innovation in Sponsorship Award. DIGIDECK transformed the sponsorship industry by turning the static pitch deck into an interactive, personalized, and measurable platform trusted by 600+ organizations including every major league. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and Mastercard received the Social Impact Award for the Indigenous Playmaker Marketplace presented by Mastercard, giving Indigenous-owned businesses access to Maple Leafs intellectual property, retail space, and a national fan base to turn cultural celebration into economic opportunity. The Rising Star Award was given to Ashley Dye, Sponsorship Sales Manager at Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., celebrating an emerging sponsorship professional already making waves. Canva received the Best in Show: Outstanding Activation in Arts & Entertainment Award for their Creative Cabana at Cannes Lions. Canva returned to Cannes Lions three times larger with the Creative Cabana, turning the world's most competitive marketing festival into a hands-on experience for over 10,000 visitors. Maple Leaf Foods and the Canadian Olympic Committee received the Best in Show: Outstanding Activation in Sports Award. In its Olympic debut as Official Protein Partner of Team Canada, Maple Leaf Foods brought "Victory. But First, Protein." to life across athlete storytelling. Harley-Davidson and Summerfest received the Best in Show: Outstanding Activation in Fairs & Festivals Award. Two iconic Milwaukee brands reunited on America's 250th birthday and a July 4th fireworks show, generating 350 press stories valued at over $20 million. Michelob ULTRA and Park City received the Best in Show: Outstanding Activation in Events & Venues Award. Michelob ULTRA transformed Park City Mountain into the ultimate Team USA celebration during the 2026 Winter Olympics, combining Olympic artifact exhibits, elevated watch parties, and a Kygo summit concert. Andrew Duffy, Chief of Corporate Partnerships at U.S. Army HQ IMCOM DFMWR, received the SMA Member of the Year Award for his extraordinary contributions to the SMA community, building strategic partnerships that enhance Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for Soldiers and Families worldwide.
San Diego pizza shop sues Visa, Mastercard over merchant fees. The Pizza Standard has only accepted Visa and Mastercard credit cards since 2021, so it didn't qualify for a $5 billion settlement inked in 2019. BROOKLYN (CN) - A San Diego pizzeria has sued Visa, Mastercard and several banks in Brooklyn federal court, claiming the restaurant had to pay artificially inflated credit card fees on credit card transactions that, all told, cost merchants hundreds of billions of dollars. The Pizza Standard LLC filed the class action Wednesday, naming, in addition to the credit card companies, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citibank and Wells Fargo. "This case challenges a massive, ongoing conspiracy between Visa, Mastercard, and the nation's largest banks to artificially inflate the fees that merchants pay on every credit card transaction," The Pizza Standard writes in the 84-count complaint, accusing the defendants of imposing a "deadweight toll on virtually every credit card purchase in America." "That conduct has been litigated, but it has not stopped," the plaintiff says. In 2019, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Margo K. Brodie approved a $5 billion settlement to merchants harmed by anticompetitive trade practices in the credit card industry. But the settlement, stemming from a suit dating back to 2005, accounted for harm suffered before Jan. 24, 2019. The Pizza Standard has only accepted Visa and Mastercard credit cards since 2021, so it didn't qualify for the settlement, which the Second Circuit affirmed in March 2023. "In short: some merchants obtained relief for pre-2019 purchases, some may eventually benefit from prospective rule changes, but merchants accepting cards after January 2019 are left with zero recompense for their injuries suffered since then," the pizza restaurant writes, adding the group includes millions of merchants. Merchants pay "interchange fees" from each credit card transaction at their business. Beyond that, however, Visa and Mastercard charge "network fees" and other fees the plaintiff says would be significantly lower if not for the "cartel" formed by Visa, Mastercard and banks that issue their credit cards. Reinforcing the conspiracy, The Pizza Standard says, is the fact the same banks issue cards for both companies and, together, comprise the "vast majority" of all cards issued. The pizzeria is asking the court to hold the defendants liable for antitrust violations and award damages to the plaintiff class. Representatives for Visa, Mastercard and the accused banks did not immediately return requests for comment.