In the world of crypto payments, compliance isn’t merely a checkbox — it’s a catalyst for growth. CoinsPaid, one of the largest crypto payment processors in Europe, recognized this early on. Before regulations compelled them, they were already investing in blockchain analytics to better understand their transaction flows and minimize risk exposure. That foresight now provides them with a competitive edge — not just by sidestepping pitfalls, but by transforming compliance into a strategic advantage.
Lesson 1: Compliance should start before it’s mandatory
In 2019, CoinsPaid began using Crystal Intelligence, not because they had to, but because they recognized the value of understanding where funds originated and how their network functioned. At that time, regulatory frameworks surrounding cryptocurrency were still developing. CoinsPaid’s leadership believed that waiting for the rules to solidify wasn’t an option — they needed real visibility immediately.
With Crystal, they could:
- Analyze transaction volumes and trace the origins and destinations of funds.
- Detect suspicious clusters of addresses before issues escalated.
- Understand typical transaction behavior across clients and sectors.
- Benchmark competitors to remain agile in a rapidly shifting landscape.
“If a merchant was receiving a lot of money from the darknet, we acted on it even before it was a legal requirement.”
Max, CEO, CoinsPaid
This proactivity provided CoinsPaid with a head start in developing internal compliance policies and facilitated smoother future regulatory adaptation.
Lesson 2: Education Is part of risk management
CoinsPaid didn’t just use blockchain analytics for their own protection — they used it to help clients become more informed. By flagging high-risk transactions and explaining how risk scoring worked, they made compliance understandable for their users and strengthened client relationships.
“We showed clients that not all crypto transactions are equal. That kind of transparency built trust.”
They didn’t just scan transactions for issues — they taught merchants to identify the risks on their own. It transformed Crystal into more than just a tool — it became integral to their client success strategy.
Lesson 3: Data can do more than protect you
One of the most compelling aspects of CoinsPaid’s story is how they used Crystal for growth. While it helped with compliance and AML, it also powered competitive intelligence and marketing insights.
Using Crystal, the team:
- Tracked trending cryptocurrencies and exchanges
- Identified clients using competitors based on transaction overlaps
- Helped clients optimize campaigns by analyzing user transaction behavior across exchanges
“We even asked Crystal to generate custom reports for us — not just for compliance, but to help our clients grow their own businesses.”
This deeper use of blockchain data made CoinsPaid a more valuable partner to its merchants and positioned it as a smarter operator in a crowded market.
Lesson 4: The new standard is two analytics providers
As regulations tightened, CoinsPaid incorporated a second blockchain analytics provider into their stack for improved redundancy and accuracy. Crystal remained their primary solution, while the second provider was used for cross-checking alerts and verifying edge cases.
“You wouldn’t base your research on one source. Same goes for blockchain data.”
This dual approach enhanced data confidence, decreased false positives, and provided regulators and banking partners with extra assurance in their AML practices.
Final Thought: Build with the future in mind
CoinsPaid’s journey illustrates what is possible when compliance is viewed not as an obligation, but as an opportunity. Blockchain analytics provided them with more than peace of mind — it enhanced their decision-making, strengthened client relationships, and established long-term credibility.
“Blockchain analytics isn’t just about compliance. It’s about understanding your business, your clients, and how to grow responsibly.”
Whether you’re just getting started or already scaling your crypto offering, their story provides a clear takeaway: don’t wait for the rules to catch up. Use blockchain intelligence now — to protect your business and propel it forward.