Funny, yeat all bitcoin debit cards are MasterCard...
I think Xapo is using VISA. Maybe other Bitcoin companies should switch to VISA or other companies if MasterCard doesn't like that kind of business.
No reason for mastercard or any company to force Bitcoin companies to switch. Mastercard earns money through the transactions and they like it the most.
"We would argue that, when compared to MasterCards network, the claims pertaining to the speed and safety of digital currencies [do] not hold up, not least given that on average it takes 10 minutes for a block to be verified and that digital currencies are far more susceptible to hacking attacks."
Worst claim ever. Digital currencies are resistent to attacks as of now. If any attacks become viable in the future, hardfork will solve it. Verifying transactions is never mandatory to accept a $5 transaction when you can use protective measures.