Max Krupyshev has been in crypto since 2013—long before it was “the usual.” In Bet It Drives podcast Season 4, Episode 3, the CoinsPaid and CryptoProcessing.com CEO joins host Yevhen Krazhan in Barcelona to explain why trust and controls decide who scales.

“Crypto was never anonymous—that was a misconception,” Max Krupyshev says in the podcast.

From there, he breaks down how the industry matured, why mass adoption is inevitable, and why the biggest risks today aren’t what most people think they are.

During the episode, Max digs into:

• Is crypto still associated with money laundering?
• Can crypto transactions still be completely anonymous?
• The most common crypto fraud patterns in B2B
• How to win big deals in business (and the fastest way to lose one)
• What he dislikes in iGaming + crypto, and what the industry needs to fix next
• The 8-Bitcoin story: what he spent it on, and why he doesn’t regret it
• His most remarkable iGaming partnership, and why it mattered
• Where crypto will be in 10 years, and what happens to cash along the way

Alongside the industry discussion, Episode 3 brings back Confess or Call, when Max is pushed into a dramatic prank call: ringing his Head of Sales with an “urgent” request.

“This episode is practical,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “Max explains the risks, how fraud happens in practice, and what operators should look for in a payment provider. If you handle payments in iGaming, this episode lays out what matters, and what doesn’t.”

Season 4 opened with a CEO episode with Cedomir Tomic (Founder of Alea) and Oleksandr Feshchenko (CEO of GR8 Tech), followed by Akhil Sarin on marketing and partnerships at Stake. Episode 3 is aimed at operators, affiliates, and product teams who want to understand crypto beyond the obvious. Episode 4 features Marek Suchar breaking down esports betting.

Watch or listen to Season 4, Episode 3 with Max Krupyshev on:

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

The post CoinsPaid CEO Max Krupyshev on Bet It Drives: Crypto Secrets and Why “Zero Risk” Is the Fastest Way to Lose a Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Season 4 of Bet It Drives is back, and Episode 2 features Akhil Sarin, CMO at Easygo and the marketing and partnerships mastermind behind Stake.

Sarin dives into the realities of iGaming marketing, sharing how some of the most cost-effective campaigns can deliver massive impact—including a low-budget idea that went viral with over 16 billion impressions.

Key insights from the episode include:

• Stake’s most valuable partnerships and why they worked

• What sets their sponsorship strategy apart

• Common mistakes iGaming marketing teams make

• The one thing Sarin wishes teams focused more on

• Biggest red flags and warning signs in partnerships

• Leadership lessons and internal trust challenges

The episode also features a fun “Confess or Call” segment, highlighting a late-night call to a senior exec about a high-stakes, unconventional idea—a true test of trust and creativity.

“This season is about open conversations, and Akhil was straight with us,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives. “iGaming marketers will rethink spend, partnerships, and what truly drives growth after this episode.”

Season 4 also includes a CEO debate with Cedomir Tomic (Founder, Alea) and Oleksandr Feshchenko (CEO, GR8 Tech), along with upcoming insights on crypto payments in iGaming and esports betting strategies.

Watch or listen to Season 4, Episode 2 on:

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

The post Akhil Sarin Joins Bet It Drives: Stake’s Growth and What iGaming Gets Wrong About Marketing appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Season 4 of Bet It Drives has officially launched, opening with a candid and controversial debate between two prominent industry leaders. Cedomir Tomic, Founder of Alea, and Oleksandr Feshchenko, CEO of GR8 Tech, hit the road in Barcelona during ICE to confront the topics many in iGaming prefer to avoid.

From expo spending and marketing budgets to regulation loopholes and grey market growth, the season premiere delivers the unfiltered discussion the show has become known for.

Big Booths, Bigger Egos?

One of the episode’s standout moments comes in a single line that captures the tone of the discussion:

“If the booth is big, that’s growth. If the booth is very opulent, that’s ego.”

It’s a sharp observation that reflects the broader theme of the episode — questioning industry norms and exposing the realities behind high-profile conference appearances and award wins.

The CEOs dive deep into:

• How much iGaming companies really spend on conferences

• What percentage of budgets go toward marketing

• How much is allocated to affiliate partnerships

• When and why grey markets began accelerating

• What doesn’t make sense about regulation in the US and UK

Debate, Confessions and Prank Calls

Beyond boardroom-level discussions, the episode maintains the show’s signature mix of entertainment and unpredictability.

Filmed against the backdrop of rainy Barcelona during ICE, both guests take part in the “Confess or Call” segment, delivering dramatic prank calls. Cedomir Tomic shares stories from some of the wildest iGaming conference parties, while Oleksandr Feshchenko opens up about the shadiest thing he has done in his professional life.

The result is a fast-paced, unscripted conversation that balances serious insight with candid humour.

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech and host of Bet It Drives, said:

“The opening of ICE is always electric, and I hope this episode gives everyone a boost. This is an entertainment business, so we didn’t want a boring piece. Huge respect to both CEOs for being so public and sharing what usually stays behind the scenes.”

What’s Ahead in Season 4

Season 4 continues with three more high-impact episodes, each maintaining the same uncompromising tone:

• Max Krupyshev explores crypto payments and their long-term impact on iGaming

• Akhil Sarin discusses streaming-first acquisition strategies and sponsorship power plays

• Marek Suchar examines esports betting infrastructure and where the ecosystem still falls short

With strong opinions and little room for safe answers, the new season promises even sharper debates and deeper industry insights.

Where to Watch and Listen

Season 4, Episode 1 of Bet It Drives is available on:

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

About Bet It Drives

Powered by GR8 Tech, Bet It Drives positions itself as the “Front Seat in the iGaming World.” The show brings industry leaders into a moving conversation format where bold questions, candid answers and quickfire games replace traditional scripted interviews.

Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech, the podcast blends hard truths with light-hearted moments as guests discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of iGaming — all while cruising past iconic landmarks around the world.

The post Bet It Drives Is Back for Season 4: Two CEOs Take on iGaming’s Uncomfortable Truths appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.