Operator-affiliate relationships run on trust, but they are frequently derailed by the payment delays and human errors inherent to manual spreadsheet management. With operators reporting that up to 20% of their affiliate communications are bogged down by commission disputes, the demand for a reliable financial infrastructure has never been higher.

ReferOn has promised to cater to that demand by launching a new built-in crypto finance layer to support crypto payments via its licensed partners’ payment gateways. The solution aims to bring a more seamless payment experience for operators and partners by eliminating manual payments and spreadsheet management.

To explore how the sector is adapting, SBC News sat down with ReferOn’s David Harris, Chief Operations Officer, and Hristiana Stefanova, Senior Account Manager. Harris and Stefanova outline how processes have become slowed down by spreadsheet bureaucracy and how ReferOn’s new solution can provide a new lease of life to the sector.

How common are crypto payments in iGaming affiliation today, and how much has that method grown in the last few years?

Hristiana Stefanova: In the iGaming world of 2026, crypto payments have transitioned from a niche to a cornerstone of the industry’s financial architecture. It is simply an easier and much more straightforward way to pay affiliates directly.

David Harris: Absolutely. Over the last five to ten years, we’ve seen a steady rise as crypto access becomes increasingly accessible. Interestingly, while we still see larger organisations relying on traditional bank wires, the small-to-medium-sized businesses are definitely driving this shift toward crypto payments.

What are the primary challenges the sector faces when these payments are handled manually?

Stefanova: Manual work hides errors, which in turn creates severe bottlenecks. Operators often tell us that more than 20% of their communications with affiliates is tied directly to incorrect commissions. When affiliate managers are stuck coordinating spreadsheets with their finance teams on top of their standard duties, affiliates end up waiting weeks for their payouts.

Harris: To build on Hristiana’s point, relying on those manual processes introduces a high probability of delays. We constantly see complaints on industry forums regarding invoice issues. True automation is the solution, but getting to that stage requires a deep dive into an operator’s individual payment flows. Integrating automation with an existing fund management branch is a sensitive operation that must be mapped thoroughly.

How does ReferOn’s automated system simplify operations and eliminate the “operational firefighting”?

Stefanova: We have created a built-in crypto finance layer that moves payment tasks from manual spreadsheets into a centralised, automated ‘Command Center.’ You set up the affiliate and the payment method once, and the system handles the calculations. At the end of the month, you simply top up the account and pay affiliates with a single click.

Harris: What that does in practice is completely eliminate the human error risk of copy-pasting payment details or performing incorrect monthly reconciliations. Uniting payouts and fund management within ReferOn means operators no longer have to struggle with non-synced lists of affiliate data, conversion rates and historical payment records.

Can this level of automation heal the trust issues that sometimes plague operator-affiliate relationships?

Stefanova: Without a doubt. Getting paid on time is the single most important thing for an affiliate. In my eight years in this industry, there hasn’t been a month without complaints about delayed commissions. By aligning these processes and removing the endless back-and-forth over data, both parties can finally refocus on the most important thing: their mutual partnership.

Financial regulations are strict. How does ReferOn ensure that its automated crypto payments layer keeps clients compliant?

Harris: Finance management is a critical part of any platform and cannot be taken lightly. Our payment services utilise various payment branches depending on the client, and each branch undergoes rigorous KYC and background checks before we add any connection to our ecosystem. We consider these checks and policies mandatory as we roll this out.

Finally, how does this solution fit into the wider ReferOn platform and fulfill your ultimate company mission?

Harris: We strive for innovation and transparency, and this feature fits perfectly into that narrative. As always, we are actively listening to the market and our clients’ feedback as we continue to roll out new capabilities.Stefanova: Our aim is to always automate processes and centralise all of an affiliate manager’s work into one single place. This release is just another step in our mission to bring constant innovation, optimisation and absolute transparency to the daily operations of the iGaming market.