Mastercard snaps up identity verification company Ekata for $850M SHARE Credit card and finance company Mastercard Inc. today said it has acquired identity verification company Ekata Inc. for $850 million. Founded in 1997, Ekata provides global identity verification data via application programming interfaces and on a software-as-a-service basis, with a focus on helping businesses assess digital risk. The company allows businesses to link digital transactions to the actual person behind it, allowing clients to comply with regulatory requirements such as Know Your Customer. Ekata’s Identity Engine uses datasets from the Ekata Identity Graph and the Ekata Identity Network to provide identity verification data that’s said to provide consistent results across the globe with fast response times. Pitched as offering “smarter identity verification,” the company’s service assist in areas including preventing fake accounts, reducing payment risks, combatting transaction fraud and providing the ability to cross-verify customer information.