Cryptocurrency
Poker Star Mike McDonald Goes All in at Bybit-Powered WSOT
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Poker players who cross over to cryptocurrency trading are seeing astounding success out of the gate — for example, a trading team comprised of poker players and captained by poker star Mike McDonald placed in the top three in the recently concluded World Series of Trading (WSOT). A total overlay prize pool of $1.27 million in cryptocurrency was paid out to the winners of the inaugural edition of the global crypto trading competition powered by Bybit, in which 135 teams and 12,368 participants joined from around the world.
Poker star McDonald commented, “A lot of poker players are good at making financial decisions while limiting the role that emotion plays — that would be one of the skills that transfers particularly well to trading. There will be times when crypto prices will hit the roof or post massive dips. Do you follow the herd or stick to your own strategy? Just like in poker, the choice is yours. Jump tables or stick to yours and play the game skillfully.”
Poker is a game that tends to reward strategic thinking, mental endurance and emotional resilience — traits that happen to work equally well for crypto trading. Practiced with discipline, these traits can very well generate desirable results in both fields. Here are some of the common traits of winning poker players and profitable crypto traders:
- Make +EV Decisions: Trading strategy deals with risk/reward ratio, similar to how poker players make expected value calculations for each hand when they consider whether to bet, check, call, raise or fold.
- Don’t Go on Tilt: The calm and imperturbable demeanor synonymous with poker players tends to help them during volatility, when they are able to think and trade without giving in to impulses.
- Hand Selection: In poker, just like in crypto trading, you can’t play your cards randomly. You have to understand the situation, process the chances of winning, and decide whether you want to fold or play further. Read the charts like you would interpret the body language of your opponent, and plan your next steps based on what is favorable to you.
- Bankroll Management: Even the best poker player or crypto trader can go through a lean spell. Knowing how to manage the money in your account is essential, to ensure that you always have funds available to trade effectively.
Bybit CEO Ben Zhou noted, “If you’re a beginner in crypto trading, the gurus will advise you to research thoroughly about the types of crypto assets, not putting all your eggs in one basket, and trading per your risk appetite and bankroll management needs. It’s similar to how a beginner in poker would typically study the game: up skill, start with low-level stakes and take calculated risks while devising strategies that suit them best. Similarly, we have been putting a lot of our energy into educational content where we show our clients how to properly manage risks and perform technical analysis.”
The WSOT is a major global trading competition powered by Bybit, one of the fastest growing cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges, with more than a million registered users. The global event is open to traders worldwide where Bybit’s platform is available. The ranking system of WSOT is based on the profit/loss ratio, regardless of trading volume, thus paving a level playing field for all participants. The next edition of WSOT is expected in 2021.
About Mike McDonald:
Mike McDonald (born Sep 11, 1989) is a star poker player. McDonald is the youngest person to win an event on the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the youngest person to win an event on the Epic Poker League (EPL).
Mike is now involved with Betshares/PokerShares, facilitating novelty bets on many niche products including WSOT. He has been involved in Bitcoin since 2014.
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Cryptocurrency
What Are the Game-Changing Crypto Trends in 2025? Highlights from SOFTSWISS
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Bitcoin has shattered records, soaring past €100,000 per coin, marking a pivotal moment in cryptocurrency history. SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of expertise and a trailblazer in crypto integration for iGaming, unveils the transformative trends set to redefine the digital currency landscape.
According to Statista, the global cryptocurrency market’s revenue is estimated to reach almost €44 billion in 2025, with an expected 861 million users. SOFTSWISS experts spotlight the major forces shaping the crypto future.
How Will Regulation Evolve?
As cryptocurrency adoption grows, experts anticipate global regulations to tighten to address security, transparency, and misuse. Key areas of focus include AML (Anti-Money Laundering), KYC (Know Your Customer), and investor protection, requiring businesses to implement robust compliance measures.
Companies must adapt to diverse regional regulations, such as Europe’s MiCA framework or US oversight by the SEC and CFTC. While compliance increases operational costs, it enhances credibility, fosters trust, and creates opportunities to attract institutional investors and expand into regulated markets, positioning businesses for sustainable growth.
Financial Security with Crypto Investments
Bitcoin’s growing acceptance and institutional interest demonstrate its evolving role as a significant financial asset. With nations like the US exploring its use as a reserve asset, Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a store of value and a hedge against traditional market fluctuations. These trends reinforce its potential as a strategic component in a forward-looking investment portfolio.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, comments: “While crypto remains a risky asset, its long-term growth potential and increasing institutional adoption suggest it could be a valuable addition to a diversified retirement portfolio. The key is understanding the asset, investing consistently, and viewing it as a long-term strategy rather than a short-term speculation.”
Consider this strategy based on the past decade: saving €100 per month over ten years would result in €12,000 with little to no return if kept in a bank or at home. However, investing that same €100 monthly in Bitcoin could have transformed those €12,000 into over €120,000. This remarkable growth illustrates Bitcoin’s potential to significantly enhance long-term savings or provide substantial financial security for retirement.
Is Crypto a New Payment Standard?
The era of cryptocurrency as a purely speculative asset has passed. Businesses and consumers now demand real utility, with crypto payments rapidly becoming an industry standard. The adoption curve is evolving – what was once considered an alternative is now a necessity. Seamless, low-cost, and fast transactions are no longer merely advantages; they have become fundamental expectations.
Max Krupyshev, CEO at CoinsPaid, comments: “The shift from holding to spending will be one of the biggest transformations of 2025. At CoinsPaid, we see real businesses using crypto payments every day. It’s not just about holding anymore – it’s about spending. Expect more companies to accept and settle in crypto, making it as easy as using a credit card. And yes, customised tokens are part of this too – they’re fun, they’re liquid, and they work.”
Proprietary Tokens for Player Engagement
An influential trend in iGaming established brands like Rollbit and Shuffle leveraging proprietary tokens to enhance player engagement. These gaming-specific tokens offer benefits like seamless platform integration, reduced volatility, and exclusive perks, driving innovation in payment methods and business growth.
Proprietary tokens allow casinos to create internal ecosystems with unique bonuses and advantages, potentially extending to external partnerships, such as voucher rewards with major brands. This strategy boosts marketing efforts and strengthens player loyalty. However, developing and maintaining a proprietary currency requires significant resources, including a substantial marketing budget to build trust and encourage adoption. These challenges can divert focus from the core mission of delivering quality entertainment and gaming experiences.
The experts summarise: “The crypto industry has always been about pushing boundaries, and 2025 will be the year we stop talking about potential and start seeing real-world utility at scale. This year crypto stops being just an asset class and starts being the backbone of global finance. The focus is shifting to utility, efficiency, and real-world integration, and the companies that adapt will lead the next wave of innovation. The future of payments isn’t coming – it’s already here.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post What Are the Game-Changing Crypto Trends in 2025? Highlights from SOFTSWISS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Cryptocurrency
NBA star Tristan Thompson signs for Sportsbet.io
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NBA superstar Tristan Thompson is the latest big name to partner with Sportsbet.io, the world’s favorite crypto-first sports betting site, as its newest global ambassador.
Thompson, a Cleveland Cavaliers center and 2016 NBA Championship winner, will bring his star power and passion for cryptocurrency to the Sportsbet.io community for the next two years.
The Canadian basketball legend will be sharing his views on the latest action for Sportsbet.io, where fans will have the opportunity to take part in some exclusive promotions.
Tristan Thompson, Sportsbet.io ambassador, said: “Sportsbet.io brings together my two biggest passions: sports and cryptocurrency. I’ve been following the crypto sector for some time now and have seen how transformative it can be. There’s no better place to combine that with my love of sports than Sportsbet.io.”
Shane Anderson, Director Partnership, Content and Brand, Yolo Entertainment, the operator of Sportsbet.io, added: “We’d like to give a huge Sportsbet.io welcome to Tristan, an elite athlete whose passion for both basketball and cryptocurrency makes him a perfect match for us. We’re thrilled to have him on the team, and we already have some exciting plans in the works. Watch this space.”
Thompson’s crypto credentials are already well established; he’s been a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, and recently celebrated as it reached a new all-time high in price.
He will be providing weekly betting tips on a range of sports, including NFL, MLB, European soccer, tennis, golf, UFC and boxing.
The partnership with Thompson marks another exciting new chapter for Sportsbet.io, which has earned a reputation for both its innovative approach to gaming, and its star-studded line-up of ambassadors, including cricket legend Brett Lee, Kenyan rapper King Kaka and many more.
Sportsbet.io is also an official partner of LALIGA and Newcastle United.
The post NBA star Tristan Thompson signs for Sportsbet.io appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
$TRUMP
Rivalry Adds $TRUMP Meme Coin as Crypto Payment Method
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Rivalry Corp. (the “Company” or “Rivalry”) (TSXV: RVLY)
(OTCQX: RVLCF) (FSE: 9VK), the leading sportsbook and iGaming operator for digital-first players, today announced it has added U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s official Solana cryptocurrency ‘$TRUMP’ as an accepted payment method.
Ahead of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration on January 20th, Rivalry users are now able to deposit and wager using $TRUMP, a cryptocurrency on the Solana blockchain which currently has a fully diluted value of over USD $30 billion. The addition of $TRUMP as a payment method on Rivalry comes less than 24 hours after the President-elect released the cryptocurrency on Friday evening.
”Meme coins are attention monetized, and the release of $TRUMP just days before an Inauguration is a quintessential internet and crypto culture-driven moment which enabled it to eclipse $30 billion in fully diluted value shortly after its debut” said Steven Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Rivalry. “Rapidly deploying $TRUMP as a deposit method in less than 24 hours is a testament to our ability to identify and lean into these universal cultural moments, layer it into our core crypto gambling experience, and deliver first-of-its-kind experiences to our users.”
Additionally, Rivalry customers wagering on-site with $TRUMP will receive exclusive rewards through February 1, 2025 in recognition of the upcoming Presidential Inauguration, including multiplying the amount of NUTZ–the Company’s native token–players earn on every bet by 20x, a reflection of the inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025.
With the acceptance of $TRUMP, along with a number of other major cryptocurrencies as part of Rivalry’s crypto-first approach, the Company has ongoing treasury holdings of various major cryptocurrencies and meme coins that it accepts as a deposit option. The Company will continue to add additional cryptocurrencies as needed to support its player base and continual expansion into the crypto gambling segment.
$TRUMP as a payment method will be available to Rivalry users in jurisdictions which apply to the Company’s Isle of Man license only.
The post Rivalry Adds $TRUMP Meme Coin as Crypto Payment Method appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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