Mastercard is introducing a way for self-custody wallet users to receive cryptocurrency through short, verified aliases instead of full wallet addresses. The company is launching the feature with the support of Polygon Labs and Mercuryo, which handle the technical and verification layers behind the aliasing system.
Today, anyone using a self-custody wallet must share long, chain-specific addresses that are easy to confuse. Mastercard’s new model replaces that process with a unique, readable alias that points to the correct wallet.
The wallet itself does not change (users retain full control of their keys), but the receiving experience becomes simpler and less error-prone.
How alias registration works
To use the new feature, the user first completes an identity verification through Mercuryo.
Once that step is completed, Mercuryo creates a short alias for the user and links it to the wallet of the user’s choice.
This alias then serves as the receiving address. Anyone sending cryptocurrency only needs the alias and the transfer is delivered to the correct wallet without requiring the entire wallet chain.
How wallets detect alias support
Polygon stores the information that connects the alias to the verified wallet.
After a user completes verification, the wallet can receive a small credential token that indicates to supporting applications that the wallet can use alias-based receiving.
The token remains inside the wallet, cannot be exchanged, and is not used for anything other than confirming that the wallet has been verified for this feature.
How transfers are verified
Mastercard provides the rules that wallet apps use to confirm:
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if the alias belongs to a verified person
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if the wallet is on the correct network
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whether it is necessary to apply any required controls before the transfer
Alias-based reception is available first. Sending to an alias will be introduced after further testing with wallet providers.
Raj Dhamodharan, who heads Mastercard’s blockchain and digital assets unit, said the goal is to reduce errors caused by copying long addresses and provide clearer information to users sending funds.
Why self-custody wallets benefit from aliases
People who use self-custody wallets face common problems:
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mix addresses from different chains
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paste the wrong address from a previous transaction
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entering characters incorrectly
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Managing multiple wallets in different applications.
A single alias eliminates many of these risks.
The alias points to the correct wallet and applications can verify the verification token before completing a transfer.
How developers benefit
Most wallet apps create their own way of checking if a receiving address is valid or supported.
With Mastercard’s alias system, the wallet contains a small credential token on Polygon that confirms that the address belongs to a verified user and can receive transfers through the alias feature.
This gives developers a simple signal to rely on and helps prevent common problems, such as sending funds to a network that the receiving wallet doesn’t support or transferring to an unverified address.
Upcoming changes to the alias feature
Mastercard plans to allow additional verification companies to participate in the alias system, giving users more than one option to complete identity verifications.
The company is also preparing alias support for more blockchains beyond Polygon so that the feature can be used on a wider range of wallets and networks.
These updates do not change the way the wallets work. Users continue to have their own keys and the alias functions only as a readable tag pointing to the verified wallet.
What is a crypto alias?
A crypto alias is a short, readable name that directs funds to your wallet. Instead of sharing a long address, you share a simple tag that automatically routes the transfer to your linked wallet.
Why are aliases useful for self-custody wallets?
Self-custody wallets use long addresses that can be pasted incorrectly. An alias gives you a unique, readable label that always leads to the correct wallet, reducing transfer errors.
How do users get a verified alias?
You verify your identity with Mercuryo. Once verification is approved, Mercuryo issues an alias and links it to the wallet you choose during setup.
What role does Polygon play in this feature?
Polygon stores the alias information and adds a verification marker to the wallet. Applications use this flag to confirm that the wallet supports alias-based receiving.
Does the alias replace the wallet address?
No. Your wallet address remains the same and you maintain full control of your keys. The alias is just a readable label that directs incoming transfers to your verified wallet.
Can I send cryptocurrency to someone’s alias right now?
Not yet. Currently, aliases only work for receiving. Sending to an alias will be added once the wallet providers complete integration and testing.
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