Mastercard has teamed up with Pan-African digital asset exchange Busha to introduce Mastercard Crypto Credential to eligible users in Nigeria, allowing them to send and receive supported digital assets using verified email addresses or phone numbers.
Under the partnership, eligible Busha users will receive unique Crypto Credential aliases that can be used instead of lengthy blockchain wallet addresses. The initiative is designed to make cryptocurrency transfers easier while reducing errors associated with entering or sharing blockchain addresses.
The partnership positions Busha among the first digital asset exchanges in Africa to offer Mastercard Crypto Credential to its users.
The system connects users with verified endpoints that have met Mastercard’s verification requirements, giving senders greater assurance that their funds are being directed to an eligible recipient.
Before a transaction is completed, Crypto Credential also checks whether the recipient can receive the particular digital asset on the selected blockchain. This is intended to reduce failed transactions and cases where funds are sent to an incompatible or incorrect destination.
Gabriel Swanepoel, division president, Africa at Mastercard, said the partnership would help make digital asset transfers more familiar and secure for users.
“Digital asset transfers should be as intuitive and trusted as other forms of digital payments. Mastercard Crypto Credential gives users and institutions greater confidence that they are sending funds to verified endpoints, while making transactions simpler through easy-to-use aliases. By partnering with Busha, one of Nigeria’s leading digital asset platform, every verified Busha user is reachable simply using their email or phone number. Together, we are supporting responsible innovation and advancing secure, trusted digital asset infrastructure across Africa.”
The aliases can be used across participating exchanges and wallets within the Mastercard Crypto Credential ecosystem. This means eligible Busha users can transact with other verified users both on Busha and on supported external platforms.
Because verification is carried out at the platform level, eligible Busha users are not required to complete additional registration to access the feature. Their Crypto Credential is automatically issued through their existing Busha accounts.
Michael Adeyeri, co-founder and CEO of Busha, said the partnership aligns with the company’s efforts to make digital assets easier and safer for everyday users.
“At Busha, we are focused on making digital assets more practical, accessible and trusted for everyday users, and our collaboration with Mastercard helps us achieve this. By enabling eligible users to transact using verified aliases, Mastercard Crypto Credential can make the experience simpler and more intuitive, while reinforcing the security and compliance standards that users expect from Busha. We are proud to help bring this capability to Nigeria and support the responsible growth of the digital asset ecosystem across Africa.”
The companies said the development comes as digital assets continue to gain traction across Africa for purposes including investment, remittances and cross-border trade.
They noted that reliable infrastructure capable of making digital asset transactions easier and safer would be important to wider adoption across the continent.
Busha is a Pan-African digital asset exchange operating in Nigeria and Kenya. The company provides services including crypto trading, traditional savings, crypto-backed loans and stablecoin-based business infrastructure.
Through its Busha Business offering, companies, fintechs and developers can access licensed infrastructure for cross-border payments, stablecoin treasury management, merchant payments and API integration.
Mastercard operates across more than 200 countries and territories, providing digital payment services and technology aimed at making transactions secure, simple and accessible.
