Zerohash, a Chicago-based crypto infrastructure firm, is pursuing new funding at a valuation exceeding $1.5 billion after Mastercard abandoned its investment plans. This comes after Mastercard's acquisition of BVNK and amid increasing investor interest in digital assets, with Zerohash serving notable clients like Morgan Stanley and BlackRock.

• 01Mastercard's potential investment in Zerohash was initially valued at up to $2 billion before the payments giant opted for the acquisition of BVNK instead.
• 02Zerohash is now looking to raise capital at a valuation higher than $1.5 billion, which was previously discussed earlier this year.
• 03The firm has a client base that includes major financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Stripe, and Interactive Brokers.
• 04Zerohash's platform supports over 5 million users in 190 countries, providing APIs and tools for crypto and stablecoin products.
• 05The crypto infrastructure sector is experiencing a surge in mergers and acquisitions as companies adapt to growing institutional demand for digital assets.

The withdrawal of Mastercard's investment plans may affect Zerohash's growth trajectory and funding opportunities, potentially impacting its operations and client services.