Mastercard to Acquire Cybersecurity Firm Recorded Future for $2.65bn

Mastercard has entered into an agreement to acquire U.S.-based threat intelligence platform Recorded Future for $2.65 billion. The deal, set with Insight Partners, which initially purchased Recorded Future in 2019 for $780 million, is expected to close by the first quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval and closing conditions.

The acquisition is aimed at enhancing Mastercard’s capabilities in identity protection, fraud prevention, real-time decision-making, and cybersecurity. Recorded Future’s advanced threat intelligence tools, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), will be integrated into Mastercard’s services for its merchant and financial networks. This merger will bolster Mastercard’s ability to provide comprehensive protection before, during, and after transactions, enhancing its existing cybersecurity offerings.

Founded in 2009, Recorded Future is recognised as the world’s largest threat intelligence company. Its platform uses AI to analyse large volumes of data from diverse sources, including the deep web, social media, and technical feeds, to deliver real-time insights into emerging cyber threats. This information enables organisations to adopt proactive security measures. The company currently serves over 1,900 clients across 75 countries, including 45 national governments.

Craig Vosburg, Mastercard’s chief services officer, stated that the acquisition will deepen Mastercard’s efforts in delivering greater peace of mind for its customers. “This adds to how we deliver that greater peace of mind before, during, and after the payment transaction,” Vosburg said.

Christopher Ahlberg, CEO of Recorded Future, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating that the partnership with Mastercard would allow the company to scale its operations and broaden its intelligence strategy. “With Mastercard, we’re laying out the next steps of our journey, broadening our intelligence strategy, and scaling our business,” Ahlberg noted in a LinkedIn post.

If completed, the acquisition represents another significant step in Mastercard’s strategy to expand its cybersecurity and data protection services, helping to secure digital transactions across the globe.