From stablecoins to tokenised dollars, digital assets are showing up in real merchant workflows, reducing fees, speeding up settlements and opening up new markets in ways traditional rails can’t.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some businesses are held back by volatility myths, unclear regulation, or the belief crypto infrastructure is too complex to touch. In reality, the tools are maturing, and for merchants in sectors like iGaming and e-commerce, the use cases are already available.
Mark Grech, Product & Emerging Tech Consultant and Founder of Pyaza, explains where crypto fits into modern payment flows, how to spot what’s real (and what’s not) and why compliance and innovation don’t have to be at odds.
What do you think are the biggest myths still holding businesses back from exploring crypto as part of their payment strategy?
One of the biggest myths is that crypto is too volatile or risky to be viable for business. But when you look beyond speculation and focus on how businesses use crypto, especially stablecoins or on/off-ramp tools, you’ll see it’s about efficiency, reach, and cost-saving. Another myth is that it’s too complex to integrate. With providers like Fireblocks, or using orchestration platforms, adoption can be smoother than traditional payment systems. The tech is there. The myth is just fear of the unknown.
How can investors and businesses distinguish between a genuine crypto project and one that’s just hype-driven?
It comes down to utility, transparency, and sustainability. A genuine project solves a real problem, has a clear business model, and is transparent with its team, tokenomics, and roadmap. If a project is all about price charts, influencer hype, and vague buzzwords, that’s your red flag. Also, look at who’s backing it, are there industry experts, serious partners, or just noise?
With regulations tightening across the globe, how can companies navigate compliance while still remaining innovative in the crypto space?
The key is to embed compliance into your architecture early. That means working with Travel Rule solutions like Notabene, real-time KYT tools like Chainalysis, and having a solid operational framework that scales. Innovation and compliance aren’t at odds, when you design your stack smartly, they can fuel each other. We’ve helped several companies do this, even in complex industries like iGaming.
What are some of the most common pitfalls you see in how businesses and investors approach digital asset investments today?
One major pitfall is treating digital assets like traditional investments without understanding the ecosystem dynamics. For example, investing in a utility token without understanding its actual use case or lockup model can lead to short-sighted decisions. Another is ignoring custody and security, which can cost businesses more than bad investments. And lastly, lack of due diligence: too many decisions are still made based on hype, not fundamentals.
Stablecoins and tokenised payments have been gaining traction. Do these hold the key to crypto finally becoming ‘everyday money’ for merchants?
Absolutely. Stablecoins are the gateway. They remove volatility concerns and integrate seamlessly into merchant workflows. When paired with tokenised reward systems, they become even more powerful, offering loyalty, real-time settlement, and global access. I’ve seen this first-hand in iGaming and fintech: once you introduce stablecoins and a simple wallet UX, adoption jumps.
Looking at the next 12 months, which crypto trends do you believe will have the biggest impact on how businesses operate?
A few stand out:
● Tokenisation of real-world assets (RWAs) – more businesses are exploring how to fractionalise ownership and raise capital differently.
● On-chain compliance and KYT becoming a norm rather than an add-on.
● Business-focused wallets and user-friendly crypto payment systems are going mainstream, especially in high-volume sectors like gaming and e-commerce.
● And finally, AI-powered crypto tools – from trading to customer service, will reshape user experiences and operational efficiency.
What are you most looking forward to discussing at SBC Summit Malta, and how important are industry events in shaping best practices for payments in gaming?
I’m really looking forward to cutting through the noise and sharing practical insights, what works, what doesn’t, and what we’ve seen from real use cases across clients and platforms. Events like SBC Summit Malta are critical.
They’re where connections are made, strategies are shaped, and collaboration across operators, tech providers, and regulators actually happens. Especially for payments in gaming, it’s about aligning innovation with compliance, and that happens in the conversations at these events.
Secure your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our discounted ‘Group Pass’. For groups of three or more, you can gain access to three days of networking, exhibition, and conference content for the price of €400 (a discount of €200 off a standard ticket).
Additionally, you can purchase our ‘Expo+ Pass’ for €150. This pass grants you access to the conference and exhibition only. Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes.
