ICE 2026 drew 65,000 attendees over three days, according to organizers, underscoring renewed interest in blockchain-enabled iGaming. The iGaming presence has increased dramatically, along with hundreds of payment providers who took over the expo floor, signaling broader blockchain adoption across the sector. The intersection of iGaming and blockchain is heating up again, with blockchain back on the iGaming menu.
Among the top takeaways, the power of in-person meetings and trust built over time stood out. Relationships are central to iGaming, and nothing beats proven trust over time. Two decades of contacts and friendships in the iGaming space trace back to the conference circuit. Frequenting in-person events such as ICE is essential for doing business in iGaming and can yield lifelong professional connections.
Memorable moments included Sue Schneider’s surprise birthday party, a gathering of iGaming veterans who remain in contact. Another notable moment was moderating the Blockchain, Black Markets, Breakthrough? The Regulatory Pivot for Crypto Casinos panel. Panelists covered the latest regulations on crypto payments and discussed how blockchain can provide regulators real-time visibility into money flows, improved AML and source-of-funds controls, and verifiable responsible gambling. Panelists debated whether new regulations will bring crypto casinos into the white market and why the black market persists.
Brazil emerged as a focal point, appearing throughout sessions, stands, and networking events. Panelist Tibéria highlighted Brazil as one of the top five markets globally, at the intersection of digital finance, crypto adoption, and regulated gambling growth. Digital payments are already huge in Brazil thanks to Pix, with hundreds of millions of transactions per day and instant settlement. Brazil appears ripe for stablecoins, loyalty tokens, micropayments, and other blockchain-powered innovations.
An unexpected surge in payment solution exhibitors highlighted the importance of payments in the iGaming ecosystem. Stablecoins can facilitate faster, cheaper cross-border money movements, with PSPs beginning to use stablecoins at the settlement layer. While some players, particularly Gen Z, are comfortable transacting in stablecoins and crypto, the majority remain hesitant. Stablecoins are likely to contribute to the iGaming ecosystem as payment-processing plumbing before widespread everyday spending, followed by greater blockchain adoption.
This is just the beginning. Overall, I am so happy the iGaming industry is starting to understand how blockchain-powered tech can improve our industry far beyond just allowing players to spend (or sometimes clean) their crypto. Blockchain-powered technology is increasingly viewed as capable of improving iGaming beyond payments, including KYC/AML, digital identity, loyalty, and responsible gambling. We can harness blockchain to help with payment plumbing, KYC/AML, digital identity, loyalty, responsible gambling, and more, reducing costs and improving player experience at the same time. I can’t wait to dive into all of these areas as the year goes on; it’s the exact moment I’ve been waiting for.
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