Crypto Becomes Infrastructure — A Conversation with Arthur Firstov, CBO of Mercuryo

Crypto Becomes Mainstream Infrastructure: Insights from Mercuryo's Arthur Firstov As the cryptocurrency industry continues to evolve, the role of crypto-powered infrastructure is becoming increasingly vital to mainstream adoption. Arthur Firstov, the Chief Business Officer at leading crypto payments provider Mercuryo, offers a unique perspective on this transformative shift. With over seven years of experience navigating the complexities of fintech, digital assets, and B2B partnerships, Firstov has been at the forefront of integrating crypto into traditional financial systems. Under his leadership, Mercuryo has scaled past $50 million in annual revenue and secured partnerships with over 300 major companies, including Circle, Coinbase, Mastercard, Revolut, and Polymarket. "Crypto is no longer just an alternative asset class," Firstov explains. "It's becoming the backbone that enables seamless global transactions, programmable money, and new models of digital ownership. The next phase is about building the rails to make this technology accessible and useful for businesses and consumers alike." One key driver of this transition is the increased acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate payment method. Firstov notes that leading brands across e-commerce, travel, gaming, and other sectors are actively seeking ways to integrate crypto into their ecosystems. "Merchants recognize the benefits of instant cross-border settlements, reduced fees, and expanded customer reach that crypto payments can provide." However, the path to widespread crypto adoption is not without its challenges. Regulatory uncertainty, technical complexity, and user experience barriers remain significant hurdles. Firstov believes that infrastructure providers like Mercuryo play a pivotal role in navigating these obstacles. "We're essentially building the on-ramps and off-ramps that make crypto usable for the masses. Our goal is to abstract away the underlying complexities and deliver simple, intuitive solutions." Looking ahead, Firstov foresees crypto infrastructure becoming increasingly embedded within traditional financial systems. "Crypto will become as ubiquitous as online banking or mobile payments. Major institutions will leverage blockchain technology to streamline operations, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue streams." He also predicts a continued surge in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other crypto-native use cases that redefine digital ownership and value exchange. Ultimately, Firstov believes the crypto industry is transitioning from a niche experiment to a critical component of global financial infrastructure. "The next generation won't think of crypto as something separate or exotic. It will simply be the way money and digital assets are moved, stored, and programmed. Companies that can seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized finance will be poised for tremendous growth."