World Series Of Poker Accepting Cryptocurrency For Buy-Ins

The World Series of Poker is now accepting cryptocurrency as buy-ins for upcoming events.

WSOP officials announced a partnership with the Solana Foundation Wednesday. The deal makes the foundation the official Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 WSOP and the 2026 WSOP Paradise.

But perhaps more importantly, it allows WSOP participants to buy into WSOP events with cryptocurrency. Players can use SOL (the native token to the Solana chain), USDC, or USDT to purchase their tournament tickets.

MoonPay, an on-and-off-ramp service for crypto, will “power” the crypto transactions. In essence, the third-party will immediately convert crypto to traditional fiat currency for the WSOP.

“We are incredibly proud to bring such an innovative and passionate community into the fold,” said WSOP CEO Ty Stewart. “Solana’s ecosystem, like the WSOP, constantly challenges conventions and remains laser-focused on the consumer experience. Solana’s speed and efficiency mirror the fast-paced energy of our tournaments, and we are excited to showcase their technology to our global audience.”

Partnership Could Ease High-Stakes Roadblocks

The new deal comes just a few days after Britney Jing was removed from a high-stakes cash game over anti-money laundering laws. Jing brought a large sum of cash from Los Angeles to play in the game and WSOP officials were unable to verify where the money originated.

Caesars Entertainment is less than a year removed from a $7.8 million fine for allowing an illegal bookmaker to gamble at their properties.

Thus, the company thought allowing Jing to play put the company at risk of another massive bill. However, the new agreement with Solana could ease future high-stakes funding problems.

Nevada gaming regulators do not allow casinos to accept cryptocurrency directly for wagering. But they do allow operators to accept crypto if it is processed through specific blockchain analytic systems.

Insert MoonPay.

The AML burden shifts from Caesars to MoonPay in the crypto transaction. As long as it processes the transaction, Caesars and the WSOP is off the hook for any AML responsibilities.

Easier To Catch Money Laundering With Crypto Transactions?

Part of the negativity around cryptocurrency is that it lacks functionality and is only used by criminals to launder money. But that might be a misnomer.

Crypto exchanges and other third parties like MoonPay are able to flag wallets for possible illicit activity. Then, crypto coming from those wallet addresses can quickly and easily be denied.

At the end of May, several crypto traders posted on social media about getting banned from transacting on Hyperliquid, a new on-chain crypto exchange.

These traders all had one thing in common. They used HTX, a Russian cryptocurrency exchange sanctioned by the UK government. According to Bloomberg reports, UK regulators allege the exchange helped the Kremlin evade financial restriction and move $1.5 billion to its coffers.

I just got banned from @HyperliquidX ?? 😭😭

My main wallet was suddenly flagged as “high risk” by a third-party screening tool, and I can no longer connect to the Hyperliquid frontend

I genuinely do not understand this decision, especially because it is happening now.
Over… pic.twitter.com/UwPC5Tn4yC

— Maxime (@MixemaCrypto) March 29, 2026

In this instance, the ability to flag wallets appears to have hurt a bunch of innocent traders. However, the ability to do it actually helps the WSOP streamline its AML protections.

Safety For High-Stakes Players

Lastly, the addition of crypto into high-stakes tournament poker improves player safety.

I remember covering my first WSOP in 2009. On multiple occasions, I saw poker players pulling bricks of cash out of their backpacks to buy into cash games, tournaments, or to square up tournament pieces with friends.

It puts a target on their back.

In 2019, one WSOP competitor said he was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Rio Hotel & Casino.

The WSOP offers services to help reduce the chances of that happening, but the bottom line is that carrying large amounts of cash is still a risk. However, without the password to a crypto wallet, it’s much tougher to rob a poker player of their cryptocurrency.

It also reduces friction for foreign players coming to the series. They no longer have to worry about currency conversion or declaring cash upon arrival.

These problems are magnified at higher stakes. The game’s premier high-roller tour, Triton Poker, has been accepting crypto transactions for a few years.

In fact, Triton has leaned into the cryptocurrency world, partnering with CoinPoker, a cyrptocurrency-focused online poker room, for their last series in Montenegro.