We are joining the Startup Lounge, where founders, operators, and investors connect around high-impact ideas in gaming, fintech, payments, and blockchain.
Why we are attending
Build connections with operators, platforms, and partners across Europe
Share what works in fast, low-cost payment flows for gaming and digital commerce
Explore collaborations on cross-border payouts, stablecoin settlement, and multi-chain routing
How to find us
We will be at the Startup Lounge throughout the event.
If you want to compare notes on payment speed, cost, or scale, drop by the Startup Lounge or message Chris Gottlob using the SiGMA Match app to set a time. Short working sessions on use cases, integration options, or potential partnerships are very welcome.
What this means for your business
Learn how AIO lowers transaction costs and speeds up settlements
See how flexible routing and stablecoin support can improve liquidity
Discuss custom flows for pay-ins & payouts, marketplaces, and global stores
Looking ahead
Rome is the right place to expand our network and open new conversations. We are excited to meet new partners, reconnect with old friends, and see where the next ideas lead.
See you at the Startup Lounge at SiGMA Central Europe!
In 2025, subscription-based business models aren’t just thriving, they’re everywhere.
From streaming to software, from gaming to decentralized apps, recurring payments have become the backbone of the digital economy.
Yet even as subscription revenue surges past $1.5 trillion globally, one problem continues to plague operators: payment inefficiency.
Card expirations, failed renewals, and high transaction fees cost businesses up to 15% of annual recurring revenue (ARR), according to Deloitte’s 2025 Fintech Benchmark.
The fix? Blockchain-powered recurring payments, the foundation of what many are calling Subscription 3.0.
1. The Problem with Traditional Subscriptions
Recurring payments sound automatic but for most businesses, they’re not.
Each renewal relies on a third-party processor to charge cards, validate accounts, and send confirmations. That process introduces friction at every step:
Failed renewals due to expired cards or declined transactions
2-3% processor fees on every charge
Delayed settlements and chargeback risk
Cross-border payment friction for global users
For Web3 businesses and global SaaS platforms, that friction compounds, especially when subscribers are spread across dozens of countries.
2. The Blockchain Advantage in Subscriptions
Blockchain replaces outdated payment rails with direct, programmable transactions.
Using smart contracts, businesses can automate renewals without relying on intermediaries or card networks.
What Makes Blockchain Subscriptions Better
🔁 Automatic Renewal: Payments execute based on pre-set contract terms.
💰 Lower Costs: Fees drop to 0.3-0.5% per transaction.
⚡ Instant Settlement: No more 2-3 day waiting periods.
🌍 Global Access: Accept payments from anywhere, no bank or card required.
The AIO platform makes this possible through simple API and webhook integrations which allow SaaS or Web3 platforms to handle recurring crypto payments automatically.
3. Smart Contracts: The Core of Subscription 3.0
Smart contracts are blockchain-based programs that execute payments when specific conditions are met.
For subscriptions, this means fully automated billing cycles.
Example Use Case
A Web3 analytics platform sets up a monthly subscription plan using AIO’s API:
User subscribes via stablecoin payment (USDT or USDC).
Smart contract locks the subscription cycle and auto-renews on the next billing date.
Merchant receives instant payment, while the user retains full transparency over terms and history.
No middlemen. No failed charges. No payment fatigue.
4. Predictable Revenue, Reduced Churn
Recurring revenue models thrive on predictability and blockchain enhances it.
With traditional systems, failed payments can trigger involuntary churn (users who didn’t intend to cancel).
Blockchain eliminates those points of failure by removing dependency on cards or banks.
The result:
Up to 30% fewer failed renewals
Real-time visibility on cash flow
Improved LTV (lifetime value) through consistent billing cycles
5. Web3 Native Subscriptions: Beyond Billing
Subscription 3.0 isn’t just faster billing, it’s programmable monetization.
Blockchain enables dynamic subscriptions, where access levels, pricing, or benefits adjust automatically based on usage or membership tokens.
Examples:
NFT-gated access for premium members
Tiered pricing triggered by smart contract metrics
Usage-based billing linked to on-chain data analytics
This level of automation was impossible with traditional PSPs and it’s redefining how Web3 and SaaS businesses scale these days.
6. Instant Global Settlements
With blockchain, your customer base can be anywhere and payments still clear instantly.
Whether a subscriber is in Tokyo, Berlin, or São Paulo, payments in USDT, USDC, or EUROC move directly from wallet to wallet with no middle layers.
This means no FX losses, no cross-border friction, and full real-time visibility for both parties.
With the AIO dashboard, merchants can track subscription renewals, analyze revenue flow, and issue instant refunds, all on a single interface.
7. Integration: Simpler Than It Sounds
One of the biggest misconceptions is that blockchain integration requires deep technical know-how.
AIO eliminates that barrier completely.
Plug & Play Tools
API and webhook setup in minutes
SDK libraries for major frameworks
Sandbox mode for testing recurring billing before launch
Once integrated, merchants gain instant access to multi-chain payment options, stablecoin support, and real-time analytics. No complex coding required.
8. The Executive Takeaway
The subscription economy is evolving fast and the next big winners will be those who automate payments at the protocol level.
Blockchain and smart contracts make it possible to: