Mastercard's network fortress: premium valuation meets regulatory headwinds 💳📊; Payments pioneer Remitly embraces stablecoins 😳🪙

FinTech is Eating the World, 6 August

Hey Everyone,

Good morning & happy Wednesday! Today’s issue is super cool as we’re looking into Mastercard's network fortress, or how premium valuation meets regulatory headwinds (breaking down the most important Q2 2025 financial facts & figures, understanding what they mean, and whether MA 0.00%↑ is worth your time and money in 2025 & beyond + bonus deep dive into Visa’s latest financials and more reads inside), and payments pioneer Remitly that just announced a comprehensive stablecoins strategy (why it makes sense and what it means for Remitly & the broader FinTech space + a bonus list of ultimate stablecoin resources inside). So let’s just jump straight into the interesting stuff 🌶️

Mastercard's network fortress: premium valuation meets regulatory headwinds 💳📊

Earnings time ☎️ Finance giant Mastercard MA 0.00%↑ just posted its Q2 2025 earnings, which delivered another quarter of impressive operational metrics.

Mastercard represents the pinnacle of network-effect businesses, operating within a nearly impenetrable duopoly that has consistently generated superior returns. However, at current levels, the stock embeds growth assumptions that appear increasingly optimistic given intensifying regulatory scrutiny, competitive disruption from FinTech and government-backed payment systems, and the natural maturation of developed market penetration.

Let’s dive deeper into this, break down the most important financial facts & figures, understand what they mean, and see what’s next for Mastercard (& whether it’s worth your time and money in 2025 and beyond).