Bitcoin funds startup ZBD has raised $40 million in a Sequence C funding spherical because it seems to broaden blockchain-based cost infrastructure for the online game trade, Fortune reported.
The New Jersey–based mostly firm, which offers funds software program for recreation builders, was led within the spherical by Blockstream Capital. The crypto funding agency contributed $36 million, based on cofounder and CEO Simon Cowell, who spoke with Fortune.
Cowell declined to reveal the corporate’s valuation or identify the opposite traders concerned.
The platform permits online game builders to combine funds immediately into video games, enabling transactions equivalent to peer-to-peer transfers, loyalty rewards, and Bitcoin payouts with out counting on third-party fintech suppliers.
“We’re speaking a couple of cost resolution for the whole trade that truly actually allows them to have a direct monetary relationship to the participant,” Cowell stated.
The fundraise comes at a time when enthusiasm for crypto gaming has cooled.
As soon as touted as a serious use case for blockchain expertise, crypto-based gaming — notably NFT-driven fashions — has struggled to achieve mainstream traction because the 2021–2022 bull market.
ZBD has intentionally averted NFTs and crypto-native gameplay, as a substitute specializing in funds, an space that has seen extra concrete adoption, particularly as stablecoins achieve consideration from companies like Stripe and banks together with JPMorgan Chase, based on Fortune.
Based by Cowell alongside André Neves and Christian Moss, ZBD facilities its expertise on Bitcoin somewhat than stablecoins.
Nevertheless, the corporate positions itself as a broader funds supplier, permitting builders to maintain customers inside their ecosystems somewhat than routing transactions by way of exterior providers.
Whereas the startup will not be but worthwhile and declined to share income figures, Cowell stated the corporate labored with 55 video games in 2025 and presently employs about 70 individuals.
The newly raised capital shall be used to broaden ZBD’s funds product suite over the approaching yr, Fortune reported.
ZBD’s bitcoin rewards
ZBD built-in Bitcoin rewards into TapNation’s cell recreation Idle Financial institution final yr, marking the primary mainstream cell recreation to ship Lightning Community payouts, which boosted 30-day participant retention by 355% and income per participant by 124%.
The corporate, initially testing Bitcoin rewards with a modded Counter-Strike server, developed an SDK and API that enable recreation builders to seamlessly add Bitcoin rewards whereas addressing cybersecurity and fraud issues.
ZBD’s mannequin turns advert income into Bitcoin payouts for gamers, rising engagement and monetization, and has already pushed important development for video games like Bitcoin Miner.
