In the fast-paced world of iGaming, operators face constant hurdles with payments, slow cross-border transfers, high fees, and a lack of flexibility. These issues are not just inconveniences; they hinder growth and player satisfaction. Traditional banking systems were never designed to handle the complexity of global gaming transactions, leaving a major gap in the market. Enter NOWPayments, a crypto payment gateway designed to solve these exact problems.
Kate Lifshits, CEO of NOWPayments, believes that the future of iGaming payments lies in crypto. In a conversation at SiGMA Central Europe 2025, Lifshits discussed how crypto is transforming the way operators handle payments and the role NOWPayments plays in this revolution. From zero-fee mass payouts to seamless fiat-to-crypto solutions, NOWPayments is reshaping the industry’s payment landscape.
“Crypto is about removing the barriers, whether it’s high fees or slow transactions. It allows us to offer iGaming operators a solution that’s faster, more secure, and more cost-effective, all while ensuring global reach,” says Kate Lifshits.
NOWPayments’ Revolutionary Approach to Payment Solutions
The core challenge for iGaming operators has always been providing efficient, transparent, and affordable payments, especially across borders. Delays, high fees, and bureaucratic red tape plague traditional systems. This is where NOWPayments is changing the game.
“With crypto payments, there are no borders, very low fees, and it’s all about programmable trust,” says Lifshits.
This means that players no longer have to wait for days to receive their winnings, and operators can send payments to global players without worrying about hefty transaction fees. NOWPayments enables operators to handle cross-border payments in minutes, with near-zero fees, and without intermediaries.
By leveraging crypto’s inherent advantages, such as speed, transparency, and low fees, NOWPayments offers an unparalleled solution for iGaming operators who want to streamline their payment systems.
Crypto vs. Traditional Payments: Speed, Cost, and Transparency
One of the most significant advantages of using crypto for iGaming payments is the speed at which transactions occur. Traditional banking systems, especially when dealing with cross-border payments, are slow and cumbersome. Players can wait days or even weeks for their winnings to be processed, and operators are forced to deal with unpredictable fees.
“With crypto, payments are instantaneous and free from delays or blockages. Even in the future, when we’re on Mars, traditional banks won’t be able to handle payments like crypto can,” Lifshits jokes, but the point is clear.
Crypto provides a frictionless solution to one of the industry’s most persistent problems: slow, costly, and unreliable transactions.
NOWPayments allows for instant payouts, with no hidden fees, offering a streamlined solution that operators and players alike can count on. This is a game-changer for iGaming, where fast payouts are critical to player satisfaction and retention.
The Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Dilemma: What’s Best for Operators?
For iGaming operators, having control over funds is crucial, but the complexity of handling crypto payments can be overwhelming. NOWPayments offers both custodial and non-custodial models, allowing businesses to choose the solution that best fits their needs.
For operators looking for security and automation, the custodial model is ideal. Funds are stored securely, with multiple levels of protection, and the platform automates payouts, conversions, and transfers.
“With custodial models, you get security and automation. This is where the magic happens: instant payouts, automated conversions, and transfers,” Lifshits explains.
The custodial option removes the need for operators to manually manage payments, ensuring a seamless experience while maintaining full control over their finances.
On the other hand, the non-custodial model gives businesses more control over their wallets, but it requires more manual intervention. For operators seeking the automation and speed of a fully integrated system, NOWPayments’ custodial model offers the most efficient solution.
Navigating Compliance: Making Crypto Payments Seamless and Legal
While crypto offers incredible benefits, navigating the regulatory landscape can be challenging. Each jurisdiction has its set of rules, and compliance is critical for operators looking to expand across borders. NOWPayments addresses this challenge by ensuring that its solutions are compliant with local regulations.
“Each country has its own legal framework, but with crypto, payments can flow seamlessly across borders,” Lifshits notes.
NOWPayments has a dedicated legal and compliance team working to obtain licenses in various jurisdictions, ensuring that their platform remains compliant with the rules of each region. This gives operators the peace of mind they need when expanding into new markets.
Crypto’s borderless nature helps bypass many of the barriers that traditional payment systems face. Whether in Argentina or Morocco, a payment made through NOWPayments will be processed in under a minute, with almost zero fees, making it an ideal solution for global iGaming operations.
Fiat-Crypto Bridging: Enabling Smooth Transitions for Operators and Players
One of the common barriers to crypto adoption in iGaming is the lack of familiarity some players have with crypto. Many iGaming platforms want to adopt crypto payments, but their user base isn’t ready to transition entirely to digital currencies. NOWPayments solves this problem with its OnRamp and OffRamp solutions, allowing for a smooth bridge between fiat and crypto payments.
“The on-ramp feature allows players who don’t yet have crypto to pay with fiat, which we then convert into crypto for the casino,” Lifshits explains.
This eliminates the need for players to go to exchanges to buy crypto, creating a seamless experience. Casinos get the crypto they need, while players use the payment method they are most comfortable with.
Similarly, NOWPayments’ OffRamp feature allows casinos to convert crypto back into fiat if needed, offering even more flexibility. This ensures that both crypto-savvy players and those new to digital currencies can participate in the iGaming experience without friction.
The Future of Crypto in iGaming: Automation and Web 3.0
Looking ahead, Lifshits sees vast potential for scaling crypto payments in iGaming. As Web 3.0 finance continues to evolve, NOWPayments is positioning itself at the forefront of this transition. The goal is to take the best elements of Web 2.0 finance, such as speed, automation, and transparency, and apply them to Web 3.0.
“The technology is already here, but now it’s about scaling it up. We’re moving from niche adoption to mainstream, where Web 3.0 finance solves all the issues Web 2.0 couldn’t,” Lifshits says.
This transition will bring even more automation, scalability, and flexibility to iGaming payments, making crypto the standard for operators around the world.
Conclusion
NOWPayments is leading the charge in revolutionizing crypto payments in iGaming. With features like zero-fee mass payouts, custodial models for security and automation, and seamless fiat-to-crypto integration, NOWPayments is offering iGaming operators a comprehensive solution that meets the demands of a fast-paced, global industry. As crypto continues to grow and evolve, NOWPayments is poised to remain at the forefront of the transformation, empowering operators and players alike with faster, cheaper, and more efficient payment solutions.
As the industry moves towards a more automated and borderless future, NOWPayments is ready to be the driving force behind this revolution, making crypto payments the future of iGaming.