Mastercard Strengthens Digital Push With GCash 'Tap to Pay' Launch

Mastercard Incorporated MA is expanding its presence in the global digital payments space with the global launch of GCash’s new ‘Tap to Pay’ services, in partnership with Alipay+ and Philippine fintech leader GCash. This initiative allows GCash users to make contactless payments at over 150 million Mastercard acceptance locations around the world with their Near Field Communications-enabled Android devices.In today’s world, digital wallets are increasingly shaping the future of consumer payments. With more people using smartphones, financial inclusion is on the rise. MA’s involvement adds an extra layer of trust, security and global acceptance, which is an important factor as mobile payments expand beyond just local markets.For MA, this collaboration boosts its position as a key player in the world of digital commerce. By teaming up with e-wallets like GCash, the company broadens its transaction network while meeting the rising demand for seamless payment solutions in emerging markets.This partnership is a timely move as cross-border travel rebounds and digital adoption accelerates. Mastercard is poised to witness a boost in transaction volumes, especially across retail, travel and hospitality sectors. In the second quarter of 2025, the company’s cross-border volume rose 15% year over year on a local currency basis, along with 13% year-over-year growth in payment network net revenues. Additionally, it reported 17% year-over-year growth in its net revenues in the same period.How Are Competitors Faring?Some of MA’s competitors in the digital wallet space include Visa Inc. V and PayPal Holdings, Inc. PYPL.Visa has been aggressive in its digital evolution, particularly through its Visa Token Service. It is partnering with tech giants and focusing on contactless and in-app payments. Visa’s cross-border volume rose 12% year over year in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.PayPal operates its own digital wallet, with features like PayPal Checkout, Venmo and even crypto trading within the app. PayPal directly connects with users instead of operating behind the scenes. Its total payment volume rose 6% year over year in the second quarter of 2025.Mastercard’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesIn the year-to-date period, MA’s shares have gained 12.6% compared with the industry’s rise of 4.4%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchFrom a valuation standpoint, MA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 32.73, above the industry average of 22.11. MA carries a Value Score of D.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mastercard’s 2025 earnings implies 11.7% growth from the year-ago period.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchMastercard currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Radical New Technology Could Hand Investors Huge GainsQuantum Computing is the next technological revolution, and it could be even more advanced than AI.While some believed the technology was years away, it is already present and moving fast. Large hyperscalers, such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Oracle, and even Meta and Tesla, are scrambling to integrate quantum computing into their infrastructure.Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook reveals 7 carefully selected stocks poised to dominate the quantum computing landscape in his report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power.Kevin was among the early experts who recognized NVIDIA's enormous potential back in 2016. Now, he has keyed in on what could be "the next big thing" in quantum computing supremacy. Today, you have a rare chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this opportunity.See Top Quantum Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Mastercard Incorporated (MA): Free Stock Analysis Report Visa Inc. (V): Free Stock Analysis Report PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks