Mastercard Selects Polygon to Power Verified Username Transfers for Self-Custody Wallets

TL;DR

Mastercard is expanding its Crypto Credential program to support self-custody wallets, enabling users to send and receive crypto using verified, username-style aliases rather than complex addresses.

Polygon has been chosen as the first blockchain network to natively support this functionality due to its speed, reliability and low-cost settlement.

Identity provider Mercuryo will onboard verified users and issue secure credentials aligned with the Mastercard Crypto Credential standard.

The initiative combines trusted verification, intuitive UX and self-custody wallet control, advancing user-friendly onchain asset transfers.

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Introduction: Identity meets self-custody wallets

Mastercard is expanding its Crypto Credential identity infrastructure to include support for self-custody crypto wallets. This means people will be able to send and receive digital assets using human-readable, verified usernames instead of long hexadecimal wallet addresses, making the experience more intuitive and secure.

Polygon has been selected by Mastercard as the first blockchain network to support this verified username system. Polygon’s performance characteristics, fast settlement, low fees and predictable throughput, make it a strong fit for identity-linked transfers at scale.

Mercuryo, a payment API provider, will handle identity verification and issuance of Mastercard Crypto Credential aliases, allowing users to link their verified alias to a self-custody wallet onchain.

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How the verified username flow works

User verification and alias issuance

Users undergo identity verification with Mercuryo to receive a verified alias. This alias is tied to the user’s real identity and can then be connected to a self-custody wallet address.

Once verified, users can link their wallet to the alias and optionally request a Crypto Credential soulbound token on Polygon, which signals onchain that the wallet belongs to a verified individual.

Sending and receiving with verified usernames

After linking their alias, users can receive crypto using just the verified username. The sending side of the feature will be enabled later, allowing users to initiate transfers using the alias in place of a traditional blockchain address.

This replaces the need to copy complex wallet strings and helps reduce transfer errors, enhancing security and user comfort.

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Why this matters for usability and adoption

Bridging ease of use with self-custody control

Self-custody wallets give users control over their keys and assets, but previously required manual address entry. Verified usernames bridge this gap, providing:

• a familiar UX similar to traditional payments systems
  
  
• strong identity assurance
  
  
• retention of full wallet control for the user
  
  

Users benefit from intuitive, human-readable identifiers while still maintaining cryptographic ownership of their assets.

Reducing friction in onchain transfers

Complex wallet addresses are a known obstacle for non-technical users. Using verified, username-style aliases simplifies onboarding and everyday transfers, making self-custody more approachable to mainstream audiences.

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Why Polygon was chosen for Crypto Credential

Performance and reliability

Mastercard selected Polygon as the first blockchain to support this initiative because of:

• low cost settlement
  
  
• fast throughput and finality
  
  
• predictable network behaviour
  
  
• high reliability at real world scale
  
  

Polygon’s infrastructure is already trusted by large payments and fintech partners, indicating the network is capable of enterprise-grade identity and transfer functions.

Alignment with broader payments automation

This work complements Polygon’s existing ecosystem integrations with payments rails and identity frameworks, helping position Polygon as more than just a settlement layer and as a full stack capable of supporting identity-linked transfers at scale.

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What this signals for the broader ecosystem

Growth of self-custody adoption

By combining Mastercard’s verification trust layer with Polygon’s performance and Mercuryo’s onboarding, the initiative makes self-custody more accessible to users who may have previously relied solely on custodial platforms.

This aligns with broader industry efforts to reduce friction in wallets, identity and payments interactions onchain.

Institutional validation of Polygon infrastructure

A global payment leader choosing Polygon underscores the network’s maturity and readiness for mainstream use cases that demand performance, security and low cost.

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Build payments on Polygon 

Whether you’re designing wallets, onboarding flows, identity layers, or full-scale payment applications, Polygon provides the speed, reliability, and real-world integrations to support global users. 

Start building payments on Polygon

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FAQs

What is the Mastercard Crypto Credential?‍

Mastercard Crypto Credential is an identity framework that links verified user identities to blockchain interactions, enabling intuitive transfer experiences using verified, username-style aliases.

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How is a verified username different from a wallet address?‍

Verified usernames are human-readable identifiers linked to a crypto wallet through identity verification, removing the need to handle long hexadecimal addresses while retaining self-custody control.

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Who handles identity verification for this system?

Mercuryo is the initial verifier and issuer of Mastercard Crypto Credential aliases, responsible for onboarding users and issuing keys tied to verified identity.

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Can I send crypto immediately using a verified username?

Users can already receive crypto via their verified alias. Sending from a username is expected to be enabled in subsequent phases of the rollout.

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Does this require users to give up self-custody?

No. The system preserves self-custody. Users retain full control of their private keys while benefiting from a friendlier alias interface.

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Why is this significant for mainstream crypto usage?

It reduces the technical barrier associated with wallet addresses, aligning blockchain transfers with familiar payment paradigms and improving accessibility for broader audiences.

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