Blab Crypto
WSOP Partners With Solana Foundation to Accept Crypto Buy-Ins for 2026 Series
The World Series of Poker is turning to the blockchain for its biggest move yet. On June 12 2026, the WSOP announced a partnership with the Solana Foundation, naming the foundation the official presenting sponsor of the 2026 WSOP and the WSOP Paradise series. The deal also lets players pay tournament buy‑ins with cryptocurrency.
Under the new arrangement, participants can use Solana’s native token SOL, as well as the stablecoins USDC and USDT, to cover entry fees. Transactions are routed through MoonPay, a third‑party crypto‑to‑fiat service that converts digital assets into traditional 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."
The partnership follows a high‑stakes cash‑game incident involving player Britney Jing. Jing was removed from a live‑streamed WSOP cash game after regulators could not verify the source of the large cash deposit she brought from Los Angeles. Caesars Entertainment, the operator of the WSOP venues, had recently faced a $7.8 million fine for allowing an illegal bookmaker to gamble on its properties.
Nevada gaming regulators do not permit casinos to accept cryptocurrency directly for wagering, but they allow operators to process crypto payments through approved blockchain‑analytic systems. By routing transactions through MoonPay, the AML responsibilities shift from Caesars and the WSOP to the payment processor. As long as MoonPay completes the conversion and compliance checks, the casino and tournament organizers are relieved of direct AML obligations.
Solana Foundation’s role as presenting sponsor is part of a broader trend of poker events embracing digital assets. Triton Poker, the WSOP’s high‑roller tour, has accepted crypto payments for several years and recently partnered with CoinPoker for a series in Montenegro.
Using crypto for high‑stakes buy‑ins also offers practical benefits for players. Carrying large amounts of cash can expose participants to theft; a 2019 incident saw a WSOP competitor robbed at gunpoint in a casino parking lot. Digital wallets, protected by private keys, are harder to seize.
Foreign players benefit as well, since they no longer need to convert local currency into U.S. dollars or declare cash upon arrival. The Solana‑powered system handles the conversion instantly, reducing friction for international entrants.
Solana, founded in 2018 and launched in 2020, is a proof‑of‑stake blockchain that supports smart contracts and high‑throughput transactions. Its native token, SOL, has been used in a variety of applications, from decentralized finance to non‑fungible tokens. The Solana Foundation, which manages the network’s development and community initiatives, announced its sponsorship of the WSOP in a statement on the same day as the partnership.
MoonPay, established in 2019, provides payment infrastructure for buying, selling, and paying with crypto and NFTs using fiat currencies. The company’s off‑ramp service converts crypto into fiat and facilitates bank transfers or card payouts. By handling the conversion, MoonPay also performs KYC/AML checks that meet regulatory requirements.
The WSOP’s move to accept crypto buy‑ins aligns with recent regulatory developments in Nevada. New AML rules adopted by the state aim to strengthen oversight of casino operations, following a year of enforcement actions against major operators.
While the partnership introduces a new payment method, it does not alter the core structure of the WSOP. The 2026 series will still run at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, featuring the traditional 101 events that span a range of poker variants.
In summary, the WSOP’s collaboration with the Solana Foundation and MoonPay introduces cryptocurrency as a legitimate payment option for tournament entry, potentially easing AML compliance for operators and enhancing security and convenience for high‑stakes players.
The partnership marks the first time the WSOP has accepted crypto buy‑ins, signaling a broader acceptance of digital assets within the poker community and setting a precedent for other major tournaments.
The WSOP will continue to monitor the implementation of crypto payments and adjust its processes as needed to comply with evolving regulatory standards.
Under the new arrangement, participants can use Solana’s native token SOL, as well as the stablecoins USDC and USDT, to cover entry fees. Transactions are routed through MoonPay, a third‑party crypto‑to‑fiat service that converts digital assets into traditional 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."
The partnership follows a high‑stakes cash‑game incident involving player Britney Jing. Jing was removed from a live‑streamed WSOP cash game after regulators could not verify the source of the large cash deposit she brought from Los Angeles. Caesars Entertainment, the operator of the WSOP venues, had recently faced a $7.8 million fine for allowing an illegal bookmaker to gamble on its properties.
Nevada gaming regulators do not permit casinos to accept cryptocurrency directly for wagering, but they allow operators to process crypto payments through approved blockchain‑analytic systems. By routing transactions through MoonPay, the AML responsibilities shift from Caesars and the WSOP to the payment processor. As long as MoonPay completes the conversion and compliance checks, the casino and tournament organizers are relieved of direct AML obligations.
Solana Foundation’s role as presenting sponsor is part of a broader trend of poker events embracing digital assets. Triton Poker, the WSOP’s high‑roller tour, has accepted crypto payments for several years and recently partnered with CoinPoker for a series in Montenegro.
Using crypto for high‑stakes buy‑ins also offers practical benefits for players. Carrying large amounts of cash can expose participants to theft; a 2019 incident saw a WSOP competitor robbed at gunpoint in a casino parking lot. Digital wallets, protected by private keys, are harder to seize.
Foreign players benefit as well, since they no longer need to convert local currency into U.S. dollars or declare cash upon arrival. The Solana‑powered system handles the conversion instantly, reducing friction for international entrants.
Solana, founded in 2018 and launched in 2020, is a proof‑of‑stake blockchain that supports smart contracts and high‑throughput transactions. Its native token, SOL, has been used in a variety of applications, from decentralized finance to non‑fungible tokens. The Solana Foundation, which manages the network’s development and community initiatives, announced its sponsorship of the WSOP in a statement on the same day as the partnership.
MoonPay, established in 2019, provides payment infrastructure for buying, selling, and paying with crypto and NFTs using fiat currencies. The company’s off‑ramp service converts crypto into fiat and facilitates bank transfers or card payouts. By handling the conversion, MoonPay also performs KYC/AML checks that meet regulatory requirements.
The WSOP’s move to accept crypto buy‑ins aligns with recent regulatory developments in Nevada. New AML rules adopted by the state aim to strengthen oversight of casino operations, following a year of enforcement actions against major operators.
While the partnership introduces a new payment method, it does not alter the core structure of the WSOP. The 2026 series will still run at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, featuring the traditional 101 events that span a range of poker variants.
In summary, the WSOP’s collaboration with the Solana Foundation and MoonPay introduces cryptocurrency as a legitimate payment option for tournament entry, potentially easing AML compliance for operators and enhancing security and convenience for high‑stakes players.
The partnership marks the first time the WSOP has accepted crypto buy‑ins, signaling a broader acceptance of digital assets within the poker community and setting a precedent for other major tournaments.
The WSOP will continue to monitor the implementation of crypto payments and adjust its processes as needed to comply with evolving regulatory standards.
