Cryptocurrency has long been associated with investment, but its potential as a payment method is attracting growing attention across the iGaming industry. Paysafe's recent All the Ways Players Pay: Crypto Edition report indicates that online bettors are already highly engaged with digital assets, with 59% of active and prospective U.S. bettors owning cryptocurrency, and that interest in using digital assets for betting transactions continues to grow.
As operators assess how player expectations are evolving, crypto is becoming an increasingly important topic in conversations about payments, acquisition, and retention.
Crypto is Already Part of the Player Journey
As cryptocurrency continues to move into the mainstream, online sports bettors are emerging as one of the most crypto-engaged consumer groups in the U.S. According to Paysafe's All the Ways Players Pay: Crypto Edition report, 64% of active online sports bettors surveyed own at least one digital asset, compared to roughly 30% of U.S. adults overall. That gap suggests crypto is far from a niche interest among betting audiences and is already part of many players' financial lives.
For operators and affiliates, this matters because payment preferences rarely develop in isolation. The methods consumers use elsewhere increasingly shape their expectations when placing a bet online. As digital wallets have become a staple of the iGaming payments mix, cryptocurrency is following a similar path.
The report also highlights strong interest in using crypto within the betting experience. Across the U.S. regulated market, 83% of bettors say they would be interested in using cryptocurrency to fund sportsbook deposits if permitted. That appetite is one reason solutions such as Paysafe's Pay with Crypto are becoming more relevant, giving operators a way to support crypto-to-cash account funding where permitted. Interest is even higher in major markets such as New York, Illinois, and Florida, indicating substantial demand among players already comfortable transacting digitally.
For affiliate marketers, these findings underscore the need to keep pace with evolving player expectations. Crypto may not yet be available as a payment method in most regulated U.S. markets, but the audience's familiarity with digital assets suggests the conversation has already moved beyond awareness. The industry is now watching how player demand, regulatory developments, and payment innovation could shape the next stage of growth in online betting.
Demand is Growing Fast
While most regulated U.S. markets have yet to allow cryptocurrency payments for online sports betting, player interest is already well established. The strongest evidence comes from markets where crypto deposits are already permitted. In Colorado, 59% of bettors have funded a wager with a digital asset, while 45% of players in Wyoming have done the same. Recent regulatory activity also points to cautious momentum beyond these early examples. DraftKings has been reported to be testing crypto-to-cash funding in four states, although approvals are still handled on an operator-by-operator basis rather than as blanket permission for every sportsbook. These figures suggest that once barriers to adoption are removed, a sizeable share of players are willing to move from interest to action.
For affiliates, these trends are worth monitoring closely. Whether adoption expands through new regulations, alternative funding solutions, or broader industry innovation, the data suggests that many players are already prepared for a more crypto-centric betting experience.
Crypto Could Become a Mainstream Payment Preference
The report also suggests that if regulations evolve to permit broader adoption, cryptocurrency could quickly become one of the most popular ways for players to fund their betting accounts. Across the U.S. market, 45% of bettors say crypto would be among their preferred deposit methods, trailing only digital wallets (55%) and debit cards (50%). That would make cryptocurrency a top-three payment option from day one, rather than an emerging alternative competing for attention.
Importantly, the research doesn't suggest that crypto will replace existing payment methods altogether. Debit cards, credit cards, pay-by-bank solutions, and other local payment options would continue to play an important role in the payments mix. Instead, the findings point to greater consumer choice, with crypto potentially becoming another option operators can offer to meet evolving player preferences.
For affiliates, this trend underscores how closely payment experiences are tied to player expectations. As demand for crypto grows, operators that support the payment methods players want may be better positioned to attract and engage new audiences.
The Experience Remains Critical
Interest in cryptocurrency isn't limited to deposits alone. Paysafe's research suggests that many bettors see digital assets as a way to improve their overall betting experience, with 71% of players saying that being able to transact in crypto would enhance their experience with an online sportsbook. At the same time, 76% express confidence in the financial security of crypto transactions, indicating that trust in digital assets is continuing to grow among betting audiences.
Speed and convenience also play an important role. Two-thirds of bettors (67%) believe crypto transactions would be faster and more reliable than traditional payment methods, though 24% remain unsure, highlighting an opportunity for greater education and familiarity.
However, player expectations are high. The report found that 71% of bettors would abandon a sportsbook after a poor cashier experience, underscoring how closely retention is tied to payments performance. Whether a player is using a card, digital wallet, or cryptocurrency, reliability matters.
For affiliates and operators alike, the message is clear: offering innovative payment options can help attract and retain players, but only if the experience is seamless from deposit to payout.
What Crypto Adoption Could Mean for Affiliate Marketers
As player interest in cryptocurrency continues to grow, affiliates have an opportunity to stay ahead of emerging trends that could shape how bettors evaluate and choose sportsbooks. Paysafe's research found that 79% of players expect digital assets to become available at sportsbooks within two years of being permitted, and 76% believe stablecoins will play an important role in driving wider adoption. These findings suggest that many bettors view crypto as a long-term part of the online gaming ecosystem rather than a passing trend.
For affiliates, understanding these evolving preferences can help shape content strategies, player education, and brand positioning. As new payment options enter the market, players are likely to seek information on how they work, their advantages, and which brands support them.
Income Access provides affiliate marketers with the tracking, reporting, and campaign management tools needed to adapt to evolving player behavior. Whether operators expand their payment offerings or new payment trends emerge, affiliates can use data-driven insights to refine acquisition strategies and better align with shifting audience preferences.
