MoonPay co-founder and CEO Ivan Soto-Wright sat down with FOX Business’ Mornings with Maria at the Milken Institute Global Conference to discuss the current state of the cryptocurrency industry and where it's headed.
As one of the leading platforms for buying and selling cryptocurrencies—valued at approximately $3.4 billion and having processed over $8 billion in transactions—MoonPay offers a unique perspective on the market’s evolution and future potential.
In the interview, Ivan highlighted how the industry has evolved from skepticism to legitimacy, with crypto wallets now poised to one day replace traditional bank accounts. He emphasized MoonPay’s mission to provide a seamless, intuitive payment experience that bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems. (Watch the interview on X below.)
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The Shift From Traditional Finance To DeFi
As a company that builds payment infrastructure, MoonPay has proven to be a key player in the growing world of decentralized finance (DeFi). DeFi refers to financial applications and services built on blockchain technology that operate without intermediaries, such as banks or other centralized institutions. By being the on-ramp for many DeFi platforms, MoonPay is enabling individuals to have more control and access to a wider range of financial services.
"From our perspective, we want to make it easy for to use your debit card, your Venmo, your PayPal, any payment method to get started and to get your first crypto asset."
Ivan Soto-Wright, Co-founder & CEO of MoonPay
In order for this transition to happen, users of crypto should be able to enter the ecosystem with the financial tools that they're accustomed to. This includes the ability to easily convert fiat currencies, such as USD or EUR, into cryptocurrencies. MoonPay addresses this need by providing a frictionless way for users to buy crypto using their credit or debit cards.
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Exploring 'The Digital Wallet' On FOX Business
Although many Blockster readers are well aware of the rising popularity and potential of cryptocurrencies, for many mainstream media outlets it’s still a relatively new and unknown topic. However, this is starting to change as more and more traditional news sources are beginning to cover crypto-related stories. During this interview, Ivan had the opportunity to further educate and spread awareness about the world of digital assets.
"We think crypto is the future and we're hopefully entering the golden age of it."
Ivan Soto-Wright, Co-founder & CEO of MoonPay
One topic that was discussed at length was the concept of a "digital wallet." In simple terms, a digital wallet is a software program or application that allows users to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies. Similar to a physical wallet, digital wallets hold your assets and allow you to access them whenever needed. He compares this to a traditional bank account, except that with digital assets, users have more control over their funds and do not need to rely on a third party for access.
MoonPay’s Record-Breaking Performance
With the growing trend of cryptocurrency adoption, companies like MoonPay have seen significant growth in their business. In 2024 the company achieved its strongest financial performance in history, finishing the year cash-flow positive and profitable, and Q1 2025 became its strongest quarter ever. User experience is emphasized by Ivan as a driving factor for this growth. The easier it becomes for people to buy cryptocurrency, the more likely they are to engage with it.
The speed that a user can enter into the ecosystem is another important factor that contributes to the growth of MoonPay. With a simple and fast onboarding process, users can quickly start using cryptocurrencies without any hurdles. Similar to Apple Pay where users can simply tap their phone to make a payment, MoonPay provides a seamless and efficient experience for its users.
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The Stablecoin Legislation Is Set To Open Up Tokenization of Many Assets
It's no surprise that the lack of regulatory clarity has been one of the biggest hurdles for the adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The uncertainty around how these assets are defined and regulated has caused many companies to hesitate before jumping on board.
However, recent developments in stablecoin legislation have shown promise in providing more clarity and stability for the crypto ecosystem. Stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged to a fiat currency or other assets, have gained traction as a way to address the volatility of traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
With this regulation, it's expected that tokenization of assets will become more widely adopted, leading to increased liquidity and accessibility for investors. This could also lead to a more diverse range of financial products being offered through blockchain technology. With that being said, MoonPay is well positioned to support this growing market, offering a secure and convenient way for individuals to purchase digital assets.
Two Major Acquisitions From MoonPay
As the conversation came to an end, it was announced that MoonPay recently made two major acquisitions to further solidify its position in the market: Iron, an API-first stablecoin infrastructure platform, and Helio, Solona's top crypto payment processor. Combined alongside MoonPay's core technology, these acquisitions will only serve to enhance its capabilities and offerings to customers.
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Final Thoughts
In regions where access to the U.S. dollar is limited, a stablecoin pegged to the dollar has the potential to transform the financial system. Of the roughly 1.4 billion unbanked, about 75% have internet access – enabling them to receive U.S. dollars in the form of a stablecoin and engage in financial opportunities.
“The beautiful thing about cryptocurrency is it’s based on the internet…and our job is to make it easy for everyone in the world to participate [in the crypto economy],” said Ivan Soto-Wright.
