We took HodlFM to Sigma in Rome, where innovation meets the pulse of crypto and iGaming. On the buzzing expo floor, our host Tanya sat down with builders, fund managers, and payment providers to unpack one of the most pressing questions of 2025, where are crypto, iGaming, and online privacy really heading?
The talks in Rome showed how quickly these two worlds are coming together. For example, billion-dollar swap platforms are changing financial privacy, and gaming brands are changing how loyal players are. Across every discussion, one theme echoed: speed, scale, and security now define the new era of blockchain‑driven entertainment and finance.
ChangeNOW builds a privacy‑first financial hub
Speaking with Pauline Schanget, Chief Strategy Officer of ChangeNOW, the conversation started with a clear message: privacy‑respecting crypto platforms remain essential in today’s tightening regulatory environment.
“ChangeNOW is a crypto‑management platform that allows interaction with crypto in various ways, both for businesses and individuals,” she explained.
The company began in 2017 as an instant exchange but has since expanded into a broader ecosystem, including NOWPayments for merchant settlements and NOWNodes for blockchain infrastructure, all operating under the NOW Solutions umbrella.
“We support over 1,500 currencies on more than 150 blockchains,” Schanget said. “Our main focus is crypto‑to‑crypto, doing over $1 billion in monthly volume.”
Unlike traditional exchanges, ChangeNOW doesn’t require customers to pass through lengthy verification processes.
“No questions asked, no strings attached. We wanted to fix the poor UX of centralized exchanges,” she said. Schanget emphasized that privacy and compliance can coexist: “Respecting users’ privacy doesn’t mean facilitating crime. Governments and institutions constantly push surveillance, so privacy‑respecting services are rare.”
She added that while the team monitors global policies like MiCA and U.S. legislation, they remain confident: “We already have a Pro version requiring verification for those who want it.” Looking ahead, she anticipates major regulatory shifts around mid‑2026.
Geographically, the platform’s strongest user base is in the Americas, followed by Europe, while APAC remains its fastest‑growing region. On the recent downturn in bitcoin markets, Schanget noted: factors such as “Trump’s new tariff packages” triggered institutional sell‑offs that influenced volatility.
NOWPayments brings crypto speed to online businesses
Kate Lifshits, CEO of NOWPayments, outlined how the service is shaping crypto adoption for merchants, particularly in iGaming and e‑commerce.
“Speed is crucial, users expect finality under three minutes; we aim for under one,” she said.
The gateway, which began as a non‑custodial solution, now also offers custodial accounts to meet enterprise needs.
“We built custodial infrastructure, turning the service into a complete financial hub,” Lifshits added.
Supporting around 350 currencies, NOWPayments sees heavy use of USDT on TRON, BSC, and Ethereum, alongside Bitcoin conversions. To offset market turbulence, the platform uses a fixed‑rate option and automatic conversions into stablecoins.
“Our system is almost fully automated: conversions, payouts, everything,” she explained. “Manual steps introduce risk, so we automate relentlessly.”
After overcoming a DDoS attack a year ago, Lifshits said resilience now defines their roadmap:
“Here at Sigma we’re collecting feedback from iGaming businesses, especially around regional fiat options and alternative payment methods.”
Investment and strategy insights from Xanada Fund
Vladimir Malakchi, Founder of Xanada Investment Fund, discussed the realities of scaling digital enterprises.
“We launched the fund in 2024 to find genius people and help them with resources, expertise, and funding,” he said.
Malakchi pointed to the challenge of structure:
“Turning a 15‑person startup into a 200‑person company… We teach process building, clear responsibilities, and communication.”
His team focuses on helping projects expand internationally, especially as CIS startups move into Western markets.
Regarding iGaming trends, he noted:
“Everyone talks about AI and blockchain, but the bigger trend is expanding into new markets. Brazil is a good example, huge boom then quick regulation cleanup.”
He highlighted that crypto’s primary role in iGaming remains payments, though it introduces security concerns.
Crypto users, he added, act differently: faster logins, privacy‑focused behavior, and new loyalty expectations. On personal success? “Find what you truly want to do… Once you know it, start building, then come for investment and we’ll help you scale to a billion.”
Young brands and retention are reshaping gaming
Daryna Nikolina of Rocks Partners said her nine‑month‑old company has already earned recognition, winning a Sigma Industry Star Rise Award. Managing two online‑casino brands, Dopin and Pilhero, Daryna stressed that player loyalty and experience define retention.
“Players always want to win. They like free spins, bonuses, and engaging visuals. Our focus is retention, strong bonus and loyalty programs.” Her team observes behavioral patterns by region: “French winners withdraw gradually, Italians, Spaniards, and Greeks often play it all back quickly.”
Data‑driven retention from Ubidex
Closing the series, Oleg Martynenko, CEO of Ubidex, explained how advertising technology is transforming iGaming.
“The market is exploding, new brands appear daily. Acquisition is costly, so retention and remarketing are the biggest priorities.”
Ubidex’s proprietary platform segments data to identify inactive users and re‑target them with new offers, ads, or bonuses.
“High‑rollers, VIPs who bet and stay long‑term, that’s every brand’s ideal audience,” he noted.
The Sigma Rome sessions all had one thing in common: they all talked about how crypto innovation can be useful in the real world. As Tanya summed up at the end of the event, the ideas shared in Rome reveal how blockchain companies and iGaming operators are maturing together, building faster systems, safer transactions, and communities driven by transparency and trust.
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Tanya Petrusenko
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