Estonia-based Verifluence won the SiGMA Startup Pitch competition at SiGMA World Rome 2026 on November 4, beating five other finalists with a marketplace that connects crypto casinos and content creators through smart contract-based payments.
The startup, led by co-founder and CEO Martin Varrand, received a prize package featuring technology credits, marketing services and business development opportunities.
According to figures Varrand presented, Verifluence registered 575 streamers within its first two and a half months of operation.
Verifluence aims to simplify commercial agreements between gambling operators and streamers, which are sometimes negotiated informally through messaging platforms such as Telegram.
These arrangements can expose both parties to payment disputes, particularly when agreements lack clear terms or safeguards.
The marketplace uses Know Your Customer (KYC) verification and blockchain-based escrow to provide a more structured process.
Once an operator and streamer agree on a campaign, the operator deposits the agreed payment in USDT into a smart contract. The funds remain in escrow until the creator completes the agreed work, after which payment is released automatically.
According to the company’s presentation, Verifluence charges operators a 20% fee on completed agreements, while streamers can access the platform without paying marketplace fees.
The model could reduce the risk of creators completing promotional work without receiving payment. However, its effectiveness would depend on how the platform verifies campaign completion and handles disagreements between parties.
Six companies competed in the November 4 final at Fiera Roma, presenting solutions across iGaming technology, artificial intelligence and business management.
Among the finalists was Gmonitor, an AI-powered competitive intelligence platform designed to track casino promotions, games, advertising and regulatory developments.
Tugi Tark OÜ showcased automated customer support technology for gambling operators. The company claimed its system had been trained on more than 10 million player interactions and could independently resolve over 80% of support inquiries.
Lordus presented Lordus Arena, combining esports competitions, casino gaming and betting features. The company also outlined plans to raise $1 million in exchange for a 10% equity stake.
The remaining finalists were Alerts Bar Inc., which develops operational monitoring software, and Holi-HR, a workforce management platform targeting hospitality businesses.
Each startup received three minutes to present its business model, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session.
The judges ultimately selected Verifluence, reportedly praising Varrand for clearly explaining the platform and its commercial proposition.
Verifluence’s prize package includes up to €400,000 in discounted technology tools and credits from partners including Nvidia and DigitalOcean.
Additional benefits include a marketing package valued at €21,300 and €20,000 in AWS Activate credits.
The company will also gain access to professional training, networking opportunities and other business development services.
These benefits are primarily credits and services, not direct cash funding.
Verifluence’s victory highlights growing interest in tools that could make influencer partnerships more transparent within the crypto gambling industry.
Smart contract escrow may offer creators greater payment assurance while giving operators a structured way to manage promotional agreements.
However, the startup’s reported streamer registrations do not establish how many creators are actively completing campaigns or generating revenue.
Its longer-term prospects will likely depend on operator adoption, transaction volumes and whether its payment model proves effective beyond the initial launch period.
Vladimir is a senior iGaming writer and editor, adept at breaking down the key details of crypto casinos and sportsbooks so players don’t have to, delivering honest, player-focused information that actually matters.
