On the crypto talks radar: Sonny Singh on building trust from BitPay to Beluga and crypto’s future

From helping giants like Microsoft accept Bitcoin to launching one of the most trusted crypto curation platforms today, Sonny Singh’s journey is a masterclass in conviction, resilience, and timing. In this exclusive conversation, the former BitPay executive and founder of Beluga reveals the regulatory chaos of crypto’s early days, the urgent need for credible product discovery, and why he believes Bitcoin is headed toward $200,000.

From BitPay to Beluga

Sonny joined BitPay in 2014, at a time when it was the largest cryptocurrency company worldwide. Over eight years, he traveled extensively, engaging with Fortune 500 executives, banking regulators, and the media, advocating for Bitcoin’s adoption. Singh played a key role in securing the New York BitLicense and launching some of the earliest crypto debit cards with Visa and Mastercard, helping major brands such as Microsoft, AT&T, and Twitch to accept crypto payments. He witnessed firsthand the challenges of regulatory uncertainty, banking restrictions during Operation ChokePoint, and the market downturn known as the crypto winter, demonstrating resilience and commitment to advancing the ecosystem.

Overcoming early regulatory challenges: BitPay’s path to compliance and trust

In the early days of BitPay, dealing with the complex regulatory landscape was a significant challenge. Sonny and his team faced constant hurdles with banking partners who were reluctant to work with crypto companies, as well as ongoing compliance demands that required extensive resources and adaptation. The legal environment was uncertain and often hostile, with shifting rules and the looming threat of shutdowns creating a tense atmosphere. Despite these obstacles, BitPay persevered, working closely with regulators and striving to meet stringent requirements to ensure the company’s survival and growth.

Being among the first crypto companies to pursue legitimacy through regulatory compliance was crucial for BitPay’s long-term success. Sonny’s leadership helped the company embrace the New York BitLicense despite internal resistance, recognizing that formal approval would build trust with enterprise clients like Microsoft and AT&T. This commitment to compliance set BitPay apart as a pioneer in the industry, laying the groundwork for broader institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies and digital payments.

The birth of Beluga

In the early days of cryptocurrency, the abundance of fragmented and often unreliable information created significant confusion for many users. Sonny recognized that while the market was full of potential, the lack of trustworthy, curated resources was a barrier to wider adoption. People were relying heavily on informal sources like Reddit for financial advice, which posed risks given the complexity and volatility of crypto assets. This gap in reliable guidance motivated the creation of Beluga, aiming to provide clear, vetted information in a single accessible platform.

Beluga draws inspiration from established fintech platforms like Credit Karma and NerdWallet, which have successfully built trust by offering independent, comprehensive reviews and comparisons of financial products. By adopting a similar approach tailored specifically for the crypto ecosystem, Beluga seeks to empower users with unbiased insights and data. This model helps users navigate the vast range of crypto products confidently, reducing reliance on unverified opinions and helping to raise the overall quality of information available.

At its core, Beluga emphasizes education, transparency, and accessibility. The platform is designed to be freely available, removing barriers for users to learn about, compare, and engage with crypto offerings safely. This commitment to open and trustworthy information supports a more informed community and encourages smarter decision-making as the industry continues to grow and mature.

Trusted leadership and strong partnerships shaping Beluga’s credibility

Beluga’s foundation is strengthened by an impressive lineup of investors and industry leaders from some of the most respected VC’s in the crypto and fintech spaces. With key executives from Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, MoonPay, and Blockchain.com investing in Beluga, the platform benefits from extensive experience and deep connections within the ecosystem. This diverse group of investors helps ensure that Beluga maintains a balanced and impartial perspective, avoiding biases that can sometimes cloud crypto-related recommendations.

The involvement of these influential players goes beyond funding; it lends Beluga a level of authority and trust that resonates throughout the community. Their combined insights and networks create significant reach, allowing Beluga to connect with a broad audience and promote products and projects based on merit rather than hype or popularity alone. This foundation enables the platform to act as a reliable filter amid the noise often found in crypto markets.

Adding to this credibility, Beluga has assembled a team of experienced advisors from established consumer platforms like NerdWallet, MyFitnessPal and Yelp. These advisors bring expertise in building trusted brands focused on transparency and user experience, guiding Beluga in its mission to deliver clear, accessible, and trustworthy information. Their strategic input helps shape a platform that not only curates quality content but also fosters confidence among users navigating the complex crypto landscape.

Beluga top 50 and future bets: curating quality signals for the next crypto wave

Beluga’s Top 50 list serves as a crucial filter in the noisy and fast-paced crypto market, offering investors a carefully curated selection of projects that meet high standards of credibility and potential. Unlike many rankings driven by hype or pay-to-play schemes, Beluga bases its selections on rigorous editorial criteria, including the involvement of reputable venture capital firms, the strength and track record of the founding teams, and the soundness of their tokenomics models. This approach ensures that the list highlights projects with genuine innovation and lasting impact rather than fleeting popularity.

The editorial independence of Beluga is a key differentiator in a space often clouded by biased recommendations and sponsored content. By resisting offers to promote projects for payment, Beluga has built trust among users who rely on the platform for accurate, unbiased insights. For investors, this means access to a signal layer that cuts through the noise, enabling smarter decision-making and a better understanding of where the market is heading.

Looking ahead, Sonny  highlights several promising projects that exemplify emerging trends shaping the next crypto cycle. Projects like BearChain explore new governance and utility token models, while Plume Networks is pioneering tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), a sector with huge potential but limited usable products so far. Meanwhile, Bitcoin Layer 2 solutions such as Hemi Network focus on scaling Bitcoin’s programmability without compromising its core principles, signaling a maturation in how the network is used beyond digital gold.

Beluga’s role extends beyond listing promising tokens, it acts as a radar for the broader crypto ecosystem, identifying innovations that may quietly gain momentum before hitting mainstream awareness. By spotlighting projects with strong teams, solid backing, and thoughtful design, Beluga equips investors and enthusiasts to anticipate and engage with the next wave of crypto innovation with confidence and clarity.

Bitcoin’s promising future

Sonny makes a bold prediction that Bitcoin will reach $200,000 by the first quarter of 2026, driven by growing institutional adoption, the approval and inflows of spot ETFs, and the overall maturation of the crypto market. He highlights how increased regulatory clarity and real capital entering the space are creating a more solid and transparent foundation for sustained growth. This optimistic outlook reflects a market that has evolved significantly from its early days and is now well-positioned for the next phase of expansion.

Disclaimer: This article is based on an interview and reflects the personal views and opinions of the featured speaker. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or legal advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.

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