SOFTSWISS, a leading tech company and pioneer in crypto gaming with over 15 years of experience, conducted a survey revealing that the majority view cryptocurrency as a pivotal driver for growth in emerging markets. Experts also analyzed this year’s crypto betting trends to uncover valuable insights.
Bitcoin and Market Shifts
Bitcoin recently reached a historic high, approaching €90,000 per coin, but faced its sharpest drop in years during Q3 2024. SOFTSWISS experts delved into how these market dynamics have influenced iGaming performance, detailed in their quarterly State of Crypto analytics.
iGaming’s Global Reach
Approximately 26% of the global population has engaged in iGaming, with the market projected to reach 243.2 million users by 2028. Market volume is expected to approach €130 billion, with a substantial share involving cryptocurrency.
SOFTSWISS data highlights a 43.1% increase in Total Bet Sum (including fiat and crypto) in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Total Bet Count also grew by over 44.5%. However, fiat bets have outpaced crypto in growth. From 2023 to 2024, the Fiat Bet Sum rose by 50.4%, while the Crypto Bet Sum saw a slower increase, contributing to a 4-percentage-point decline in crypto’s overall share.
The Role of Crypto in iGaming’s Future
The SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report highlights cryptocurrency as a preferred payment method in the sector, with 58% of survey respondents naming it the primary driver for entering new markets.
Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, noted:
“Integrating crypto payments allows iGaming businesses to operate globally, delivering greater speed and convenience. With iGaming’s naturally borderless reach, this expands platforms’ access to a wider international audience, boosting their global growth potential.”
Max Krupyshev, CEO of CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid, added:
“Crypto transaction fees can be almost three times lower compared to traditional fiat gateways, allowing iGaming businesses to save on processing costs and reinvest that capital.”
Despite fluctuations in exchange rates, SOFTSWISS data confirms steady interest in crypto betting, with the Crypto Bet Sum increasing by 15.2% in 2024 compared to the previous year. However, the third quarter of 2024 saw a 9-percentage-point decline due to falling cryptocurrency exchange rates.
Altcoins on the Rise
The top five cryptocurrencies in iGaming—Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and Dogecoin—remain dominant, though altcoins now hold a larger share. From only 25.1% in early 2023, altcoins accounted for over 47% of bets in 2024.
Bitcoin’s share dropped by 22 percentage points in 2024 compared to 2023, while Tether and Litecoin gained over 8 and 7.8 percentage points, respectively. Ethereum also strengthened its position with a 4.9-point increase.
Innovative iGaming Tokens
Casinos like Rollbit and Shuffle are introducing proprietary tokens to enhance player engagement. These tokens offer benefits such as lower volatility, platform compatibility, and exclusive perks, driving innovation in payment methods and business models.
Vitali Matsukevich summarized:
“Crypto offers iGaming operators key advantages beyond lower costs and global reach. Blockchain enhances safety and fairness through transparency and traceability, with each transaction and game result permanently recorded and tamper-proof. Partnering with trusted crypto experts allows operators to harness these benefits, positioning themselves for growth and effectively navigating market shifts.”
For further insights, the SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report is available for free download, offering a visionary look into crypto’s evolving role in iGaming.
