Scott Burrows, Head of Technical Compliance at SuperBet, outlines how clearer rules, disciplined partner selection, and embedded player protection can turn crypto from a reputational risk into an operational advantage
Scott Burrows does not romanticise the last market cycle.
He places 2024 as a turning point where market momentum met regulatory focus. “2024 was a significant year for the sector. We saw the prices of various coins rise almost simultaneously, alongside the emergence of new, more community-driven tokens,” he tells Payment Expert ahead of SBC Summit Lisbon.
Burrow links that surge to a harder edge on supervision. “Increasingly, authorities are engaging with crypto more seriously and constructively. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is a prime example, and we are now seeing its provisions begin to take effect,” he says.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW:
2024 was a big year for alternative currencies. From a compliance standpoint, which developments do you think had the most lasting impact on the industry?
2024 was a significant year for the sector. We saw the prices of various coins rise almost simultaneously, alongside the emergence of new, more community-driven tokens. While these trends bring fresh challenges from a compliance perspective, they also reflect a shift in how regulators view the space. Increasingly, authorities are engaging with crypto more seriously and constructively. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is a prime example, and we are now seeing its provisions begin to take effect.
Regulatory crackdowns in key markets shaped much of last year’s crypto narrative. How do you see this influencing operator adoption and consumer trust going forward?
Regulatory crackdowns always send a clear message that the days of operating in grey areas are numbered. In the short term, this has prompted some operators to slow adoption or re-evaluate market entry strategies, particularly where compliance costs are high.
But in the longer term, I believe it will have the opposite effect. Clearer rules and consistent enforcement create a more predictable environment for investment, innovation, and responsible scaling.
For consumers, trust grows when they see regulators protecting them from bad actors. Over time, this should strengthen adoption, not weaken it. In that sense, crackdowns are less about stifling the industry and more about creating the stable foundations it needs to mature, as we seen with the retail shift to online.
As Head of Technical Compliance, how do you approach integrating cryptocurrencies into payment systems while maintaining robust AML and KYC standards?
Right now, integrating cryptocurrencies into our payment systems isn’t something we’re considering from a business perspective. That said, I’ve always taken a keen personal interest in alternative currencies and the evolving regulatory frameworks around them.
From a technical standpoint, any future integration would have to start with a rigorous risk assessment, mapping out where cryptocurrencies fit within existing AML and KYC processes, and where new controls would be needed.
This could mean leveraging blockchain analytics, working with trusted network partners, ensuring counterparties are properly vetted, and embedding transaction monitoring from day one. In my view, the only sustainable path is to treat crypto transactions with the same, if not greater, scrutiny as traditional payments.
Volatility remains one of crypto’s biggest challenges. Do you see stablecoins or other pegged digital assets as a viable long-term solution for operators?
Volatility is often seen as one of crypto’s biggest challenges, but it’s also one of its biggest attractions the price swings create opportunities that simply don’t exist with fiat currencies.
Stablecoins and other pegged digital assets can offer a more predictable alternative, provided they are backed by transparent reserves and operate within clear regulatory frameworks.
For them to be a viable long-term solution in our sector, I’d expect adoption to centre on a select number of well-established coins, working only with trusted partners who already have robust KYC and AML processes in place. This combination of stability, regulatory clarity, and partner integrity would be essential to mitigate risk for operators.
We’ve seen growing political engagement with digital assets, including endorsements from unexpected quarters. Do you think this will accelerate regulation, or complicate it?
Honestly, I think it will do both.
Political engagement can accelerate regulation by pushing digital assets higher up the policy agenda and prompting clearer, more coordinated frameworks. When high-profile figures speak positively about the sector, it can help demystify the technology for both lawmakers and the public, which in turn can speed up the development of regulation.
At the same time, political involvement can complicate matters if digital assets are used as a political talking point. That can lead to fragmented approaches, where regulation varies widely depending on the political climate in each jurisdiction.
Ultimately, the industry benefits most when regulation is informed by technical understanding and risk-based thinking, rather than short-term political cycles. Constructive political interest can be valuable, but it needs to be coupled with regulatory expertise to create effective oversight.
From a technical compliance perspective, what’s the most overlooked risk when accepting cryptocurrency payments in a highly regulated industry like betting?
A key overlooked risk in accepting crypto payments is the difficulty in verifying counterparties due to complex transactions across multiple blockchains and privacy tools. This challenges KYC and ongoing risk monitoring, making trusted partners and advanced analytics essential to maintain regulatory confidence.
How do you balance the speed and accessibility that crypto offers with the demands of responsible gambling and player protection frameworks?
Players today are increasingly looking for faster, more engaging experiences, and cryptocurrencies can deliver on that with near-instant, borderless transactions. However, balancing this speed with the demands of responsible gambling and player protection frameworks is critical.
The key is to embed compliance measures seamlessly into the user journey, so they don’t slow down the experience but instead enhance safety. This could mean implementing strong KYC checks upfront, real-time risk monitoring, and effective intervention tools that can quickly identify and address problematic behaviour.
By leveraging advanced technologies like blockchain analytics and risk scoring, operators can create an environment where players enjoy the benefits of crypto’s speed and accessibility, without compromising on their protection or the integrity of the platform.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, what emerging blockchain or crypto innovations do you think will have the biggest compliance implications?
Emerging innovations like smart contracts, and cross-chain interoperability will redefine compliance challenges by increasing transaction complexity.
Success will depend on agile frameworks, advanced AI analytics, and strong collaboration with trusted partners and regulators to scale responsibly.
You’ll be speaking on this topic at SBC Summit — what’s the one takeaway you hope attendees leave with from your panel discussion?
Much like the shift from retail to online betting, we’re at a pivotal turning point with crypto in our industry. While it remains a risky and early-stage space, this moment presents a unique opportunity for operators and regulators to work together to promote best practices.
SBC Summit will take place from 16–18 September at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa and MEO Arena, bringing together 30,000 industry stakeholders for an unmissable three-day experience.
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