Redefining ESG excellence through vision, innovation, and global impact
As global finance evolves toward transparency and sustainability, the cryptocurrency sector faces a defining test: can innovation truly coexist with integrity? It is a question that sits at the heart of the digital economy’s credibility, one that challenges every emerging fintech leader to balance disruption with accountability.
For Violaine Champetier de Ribes, Head of ESG at CoinsPaid, the answer is not only yes, but it is also imperative for the industry’s survival and long-term relevance. She believes that the next era of fintech leadership will be defined not by speed or scale alone, but by trust, transparency, and purpose. Working for a company operating at the crossroads of Web2 and Web3, Violaine believes that innovation does not have to come at the cost of responsibility. Instead, she views it as a catalyst, a force that can redefine how businesses engage with society, how digital ecosystems sustain themselves, and how progress is measured not only in profits but in positive impact.
CoinsPaid top management pushes forward an entirely new way of thinking about stablecoin payments. A compass guiding how technology can evolve while protecting the values that make growth meaningful.
Building an ESG Foundation for a Digital Era
Violaine’s path to leading CoinsPaid’s ESG department was born from necessity and vision. As the company expanded, Max Krupyshev, the CEO, recognised that growth came with greater accountability to society, the environment, and the financial ecosystem at large.
She recalls starting her position in leading the implementation of CoinsPaid’s top management vision, “ESG is not an optional layer but an essential part of building trust with our clients, employees, partners, and regulators.”- Violaine Champetier De Ribes
Under her guidance, CoinsPaid formalised its ESG policy, establishing a framework rooted in transparency, responsibility, and sustainable growth. For Violaine, leadership in ESG is not about following trends; it’s about transforming awareness into tangible action and working on long-term goals.
The Evolution of Purpose in Fintech
Operating at the intersection of technology, finance, and global commerce, CoinsPaid occupies a pivotal position in shaping the future of digital payments. This unique vantage point carries a profound responsibility: the company’s actions not only impact its clients and partners but also influence broader perceptions of the cryptocurrency industry.
For Violaine Champetier de Ribes, ESG is far more than a regulatory requirement or a compliance checkbox. She sees it as a strategic opportunity to demonstrate that crypto payments can be responsible, scalable, and sustainable without compromising speed, efficiency, or innovation.
Over time, Violaine’s vision has grown beyond internal implementation. What began as a company-focused initiative is evolving into a will-to-participate and help set industry standards, shaping how peers, regulators, and the broader fintech ecosystem view responsible digital finance. Through this long-term approach, CoinsPaid will work on influencing perception and driving meaningful progress across the cryptocurrency sector.
Pioneering ESG in Uncharted Territory
When Violaine began developing the company’s ESG strategy, there were no preset frameworks for crypto payments. Unlike traditional industries, Crypto payment services companies lacked established pathways for environmental and social accountability.
That challenge became an opportunity. Violaine studied global best practices, adapted relevant tools, and reimagined them for a crypto processing payment provider. Her insight was simple yet transformative: building ESG in crypto payments means you can’t follow existing models; you must create new ones. In doing so, CoinsPaid is starting to position itself as a standard-setter, not merely adapting to global ESG trends but defining them for the long term.
ESG Impact Pillars at CoinsPaid
- Flexibility: All employees enjoy remote-first arrangements.
- Wellbeing: 40%+ use mental health and support services.
- Growth: 60%+ engaged in professional development.
- Community: Yoga sessions and annual sports challenges build connections.
- Diversity: 300+ employees across 20+ nationalities.
Strategic Growth through Purpose
Recently, CoinsPaid’s position was strengthened through strategic partnerships. In June 2025, the company joined forces with Finery Markets and FinchTrade, elevating its liquidity and infrastructure capacity to institutional-grade standards. This partnership now enables large crypto-to-fiat transactions within one second, maintaining compliance and speed.
Additionally, CoinsPaid continues to deepen its presence, partnering with Latitude59, Estonia’s premier start-up and tech conference, to facilitate crypto payments for event tickets.
The company’s client base has expanded in the Travel industry, Real Estate, Marketing and Advertising, Software development and e-Commerce. The company’s affiliate and reseller programs enable B2B partners to earn from crypto processing referrals.
CoinsPaid by the Numbers
- Over €600 million processed in crypto monthly
- Around 800,000+ transactions per month
- 270 full-time professionals
- Headquartered and licensed in Estonia
Achievements and Industry Recognition
The company’s efforts have earned widespread industry recognition, reflecting both its operational excellence and its influence in shaping responsible digital finance.
- CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid won Best In-Game Payment at the Global Cards & Payments Innovation Awards 2025.
- Named Best Payment Solution by the World Economic Magazine Awards 2025.
- Secured 19 industry awards in 2024, highlighting its impact in digital payments.
Under Violaine Champetier de Ribes’s leadership, CoinsPaid was shortlisted for Best ESG Campaign at the 2025 Europe FinTech Awards, demonstrating growing influence in sustainability leadership.
Embedding Accountability into the Heart of Innovation
For Violaine Champetier de Ribes, ESG leadership is not about perfection; it’s about measurable progress and accountability. In a fast-evolving crypto landscape, she believes sustainability must be built on evidence, not aspiration.
Under her guidance, CoinsPaid’s ESG policy serves as a cornerstone for gradually integrating sustainability into every facet of operations. Her team is defining clear baselines measuring carbon footprint, workforce diversity, and transparency to ensure each initiative is data-driven and impactful.
For Violaine, innovation and sustainability naturally go hand in hand and is working directly with the CEO, Max Krupyshev. By helping integrate ESG values into the company’s growth strategy, she actively participates in CoinsPaid’s efforts to make responsible innovation a meaningful standard of success.
Leadership Priorities
- Strategic Planning: 30% – Aligning innovation with regulatory and ESG goals.
- Operations & Execution Oversight: 25% – Driving performance and resilience.
- Personal Development: 20% – Continuous learning and thought leadership.
- Mentoring & Team Development: 15% – Coaching future leaders.
- Stakeholder Engagement: 10% – Strengthening partnerships and trust.
Redefining Leadership for the Next Decade
Looking ahead, Violaine Champetier de Ribes sees the next five years as a turning point for fintech and ESG integration. With regulatory evolution, technological innovation, and data standardisation accelerating, she believes leadership will be defined by adaptability and purpose.
She identifies three defining trends:
- ESG Data Standardisation: Genuine measurement and accountability replacing greenwashing.
- Climate-Tech Integration: Mainstream adoption of carbon accounting, green finance, and sustainable investing.
- Social Inclusion: Expanding access to ethical AI and financial inclusion as leadership imperatives.
Leadership Success Factors (Importance Scale 1–10)
- Innovation – 9/10
- Sustainability Focus – 8/10
- Employee Engagement – 8/10
- Strategic Vision – 10/10
- Adaptability – 9/10
A Philosophy of Purpose and Trust
When asked what advice she would share with future leaders, Violaine’s message remains grounded in ethics and clarity:
“Lead with purpose, discipline, and integrity. Move fast, but never at the expense of ethics in fintech and crypto; trust is your greatest asset.”
Her guidance is simple yet profound, prioritising long-term impact over short-term gains. In her view, ESG is not a trend to follow but a responsibility to fulfil, creating positive outcomes for people, society, and the planet.
That philosophy extends to her personal leadership balance as well. She often reminds peers that work-life balance must be treated as a strategic choice, not an afterthought. For her, creativity and leadership thrive only when leaders make space for rest, reflection, and renewal.
Quick Takes
- Recommended Tool: Slack for clarity and real-time collaboration across global teams.
- Leadership Advice: Start small, move fast, and stay curious. Adaptability will outlast any business plan.
- Book Recommendation: “Net Positive” by Paul Polman & Andrew Winston, a call to redefine success by giving more than we take.
- Career Lesson: People and trust are what matter most; everything else follows.
Toward a Net Positive Future
Violaine Champetier de Ribes represents a contemporary approach to leadership based on long-term responsibility. Through her work developing and implementing CoinsPaid’s ESG policy and strategy, she contributes to the company’s efforts to evolve responsibly and to demonstrate how crypto businesses can mature thoughtfully within a wider payments ecosystem.
Her contribution reflects a steady commitment to applying ESG principles that are increasingly relevant across all industries. By embedding these considerations into the organisation’s framework, she helps ensure that innovation is aligned with practical, measurable outcomes, where purpose and performance support one another.
And while the journey of ESG at CoinsPaid has only just begun, Violaine’s belief remains unwavering: responsible crypto isn’t just possible, it’s essential for the industry’s future.
To the Next Generation of Leaders
Listen before you act. Observe before you decide. The pace of innovation should never outrun the purpose behind it. In every industry, especially those driven by technology, ethics must evolve at the same speed as progress.
Don’t mistake growth for success. True success is an impact that lasts. Build with intention, question with courage, and remember that the future belongs to those who lead with both vision and values.
With purpose and conviction,
Violaine Champetier de Ribes, Head of ESG Department CoinsPaid
Key Takeaways
- Responsibility is the new frontier of innovation.
- ESG is not a mandate; it’s a mindset.
- Sustainable growth begins with conscious leadership.
- Transparency builds the trust that technology alone cannot.
- The future of finance is ethical, inclusive, and accountable.
