Mercuryo Cofounder Predicts Crypto Transactions Will Become ‘Seamless’ Within Three Years

As cryptocurrency transitions from a highly publicized niche to practical applications in everyday life, a crucial objective is to enhance its usability in daily activities. Mercuryo, a global payments infrastructure firm facilitating fiat-to-crypto transactions for platforms such as MetaMask, Revolut, Ledger, and Trust Wallet, reports that the demand for compliant crypto payment solutions is increasing despite stricter regulations.
In this discussion with Cryptonews, Mercuryo co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Greg Waisman asserts that compliance has become a competitive edge as traditional banks aim to integrate crypto directly into their offerings. He also addressed zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs and how this technology could harmonize privacy with regulatory requirements for expedited payments.
However, the primary obstacle to widespread adoption remains usability. Recent research indicates a growing accessibility gap between high-income and lower-income users, many of whom encounter fees as high as 20%. Waisman elaborated on strategies to bridge this gap by ensuring that crypto payments are seamless, cost-effective, and ultimately unobtrusive for the end user.

Compliance As a ‘Competitive Advantage’

Cryptonews: I understand that Mercuryo provides payment infrastructure for some of the leading names in the crypto space. How has the demand for fiat-to-crypto solutions changed in light of stricter regulations and evolving investor sentiment?
Greg Waisman: When we launched Mercuryo in 2018, there was a significant disparity between interest in cryptocurrency and the actual ability to utilize it. Transitioning between fiat and crypto was extremely challenging and costly for individuals or businesses. For instance, purchasing $100 worth of crypto could incur fees of $12. We recognized this inefficiency as an opportunity. Fast forward to today: fees below 3% are now standard, and the global infrastructure has significantly matured.

A more regulated market leads to more dependable providers, improved standards, and enhanced user protections.

The demand for crypto-to-fiat technology has only intensified with the rise in regulation. What has shifted is the profile of those driving that demand. Fintech companies, payment processors, and even conventional financial institutions are seeking to incorporate compliant crypto payment solutions directly into their services.
The sentiment is not moving away from crypto; rather, it is concentrating on responsible and regulated engagement in the crypto market. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, institutional players will increasingly acknowledge the necessity for secure and licensed infrastructure.
CN: You’ve referred to compliance as a “competitive advantage.” How do you leverage regulation to advance the industry instead of hindering it? In other words, what types of frameworks can satisfy compliance requirements while remaining accessible to everyday users?
GW: To thrive in a complex regulated environment, robust compliance is essential. Regulation establishes the rules of engagement, and a company that fully and promptly adopts these rules will be the one that scales sustainably. Therefore, I do not view regulation as a significant limitation. A proactive stance regarding regulations can also serve as a competitive advantage.
The objective is to fulfill the necessary KYC and AML standards while ensuring an intuitive user experience. When transparency and security are integrated into the foundation, crypto becomes broadly accessible. Compliance and accessibility can coexist, fostering trust throughout the ecosystem.

ZK Proofs Make Crypto Payments Secure

CN: Zero-knowledge proofs are currently among the most discussed technologies in the crypto realm. What practical advantages do you perceive for compliance and privacy?

GW: Zero-knowledge technology has the potential to revolutionize how compliance and privacy can effectively coexist. It enables verification without exposure, demonstrating that a user meets KYC requirements, for instance, without disclosing sensitive information.
This is significant for various reasons, one being the opportunity to develop next-generation fraud controls. Engaging with new technology invariably introduces new risks, and fraud adapts alongside innovation, so privacy-preserving tools like ZK proofs can assist in mitigating fraud while safeguarding data.
Considering Web3’s trust dilemma, users seek security, while regulators demand transparency. Zero-knowledge proofs facilitate a win-win scenario for both parties. This type of innovation is what propels the crypto industry forward, and many believe it has the potential to become a fundamental aspect of how compliance and innovation collaborate in crypto.
CN: Connecting fiat and crypto is frequently the most challenging aspect of creating user-friendly products. What is the missing element that most developers or fintechs tend to overlook?
GW: A common error developers make is assuming that the bridge solely revolves around refining the technology. This overlooks the experiential components. Numerous crypto products are still crafted by crypto enthusiasts for crypto enthusiasts, which can pose a barrier for some.

One could argue that a genuine bridge enables individuals to buy, sell, and spend crypto using conventional payment methods, cards, bank transfers, and mobile wallets directly within Web3 applications. When the experience feels familiar, the system becomes accessible.

CN: What has been the most significant challenge in gaining the confidence of traditional banks or payment processors regarding blockchain technology?
GW: Establishing trust with traditional institutions requires time and evidence. Banks and processors proceed cautiously because their reputations hinge on security and predictability.

Blockchain payments can function under the same risk management principles as traditional finance and, in certain instances, even enhance them. When institutions comprehend that crypto rails can be entirely auditable, regulated, and integrated with their existing systems, hesitations diminish, leading to potential new partnerships.

Rich and Poor Divide Undercuts Mass Adoption

CN: The crypto sector has long promised widespread adoption, yet it has not fully materialized. What must occur next for that significant leap to finally take place?
GW: The technology is prepared, but the user experience is not always optimal. Many individuals still find crypto challenging to navigate.
Earlier this year, we collaborated with Web3 research firm Protocol Theory on a nationally representative study titled “Beyond Early Adopters: What It Takes for Crypto to Matter in Everyday Life.”
The results reveal a divide in how affluent and lower-income Americans interact with crypto. Over half of U.S. adults earning more than $100K possess digital assets, compared to just one in four earning under $40K. Only 13% of Americans consider wallets easy to use, and merely 16% have ever witnessed one being utilized in real life.
Rather than leveling the playing field, crypto risks perpetuating existing patterns of financial exclusion. Lower-income users may find themselves directed toward high-cost alternatives like Bitcoin ATMs, sometimes incurring fees of up to 20%, while wealthier users benefit from cheaper, safer access.

Mass adoption necessitates usability and trust: secure payments, legal clarity, and products that are simple enough for anyone to use, regardless of their technological proficiency. Adoption will accelerate when the experience is familiar, affordable, and equitable.

CN: With numerous payment startups entering Web3, how do you differentiate Mercuryo?
GW: We do not aim to compete with exchanges or wallets; we empower them. Mercuryo is a pure B2B entity, and we take pride in that. Our mission is to enable others to provide seamless crypto and fiat on and off-ramps without the need to construct the intricate infrastructure themselves.
Our solutions function behind the scenes across Web2, Web3, and TradFi. I often describe myself as the voice of focus, as we concentrate on what we do best: compliant, scalable, global payment infrastructure.

Crypto Payments Will Become Seamless In 3 Years

CN: In three years, what will the payment experience resemble? Will users even be aware that they are engaging with crypto behind the scenes?
GW: In three years, the payment experience will be progressing toward complete seamlessness. In some instances, users may not need to discern whether a transaction occurs in crypto or fiat; it will all operate under one intuitive layer.
As more applications incorporate payments that automatically convert between crypto and fiat based on user or merchant requirements, the distinction between “traditional” and “crypto” payments will diminish.
Over time, I firmly believe that crypto will evolve into a new layer of financial existence, rather than a substitute for existing systems.
CN: Where do you identify the most significant growth opportunities for fiat-to-crypto infrastructure: retail users, businesses, or cross-border payments?
GW: Emerging markets and underserved populations, whether in Africa or lower-income communities in the U.S., represent areas where crypto can exert the most substantial influence. The data from our Protocol Theory research corroborates that accessibility gaps persist even in developed economies.
In regions where access to traditional banking is limited, on and off-ramps provide users the opportunity to engage in the digital economy with nothing more than an internet connection. Finance should be borderless and accessible to all, irrespective of geography or income level.
CN: And if you had to encapsulate the “future of payments” in one sentence, what would it be?
GW: Payments will become invisible, borderless, seamless, and driven by technology that users won’t even need to consciously consider.

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