ZBD Secures $40 Million in Series C to Revolutionize In-Game Payments and Rewards

Introduction

In a significant milestone for the gaming industry, ZBD has successfully secured $40 million in Series C funding from Blockstream Capital Partners. This investment aims to further enhance the company's innovative payment solutions, providing gamers and developers with a seamless way to handle real-money transactions and rewards. As the landscape of gaming evolves, ZBD is positioned to redefine how players engage with games through financial interactions, utilizing cutting-edge technology to streamline the process.

ZBD's Vision and Growth

Founded with the mission to integrate real-money transactions into gaming, ZBD has rapidly established itself as a leading payments provider. The company's technology leverages the Lightning Network, allowing for swift, compliant, and embedded payment solutions. With over 120 million transactions processed annually, ZBD demonstrated its growth by doubling the number of games utilizing its SDK within the past year. This growth has been fueled by partnerships with renowned developers like TapNation, Fumb Games, and PlayEmber, who capitalize on ZBD's infrastructure to deliver monetary rewards to their players.

Innovative Approach to Gaming Payments

Traditionally, payment innovations in the gaming sector have focused on player purchases. ZBD, however, adopts a novel approach by enabling instant real-money payouts directly integrated into gameplay. This strategy not only enhances player engagement but also boosts the lifetime value (LTV) of games. ZBD’s instant payment solutions create a two-way value exchange between game developers and players, facilitating a rewarding experience unlike any other.

Ben Cousens, ZBD's Chief Strategy Officer, articulated the company's mission, stating, "Our goal is to transform how monetary interactions occur in games. With our all-in-one payments technology, we aim to streamline the financial experience for both developers and players. The existing financial systems are cumbersome, but our technology harnesses the power of the Lightning Network, enabling rapid rewards while allowing developers the flexibility to determine their presentation."

Commitment from Investors

Nicolas Brand from Blockstream Capital Partners emphasized the unique position ZBD holds within the industry. He noted, "ZBD has successfully combined native Bitcoin payment technology with a robust licensing framework across various regulatory regimes. This is a notable achievement that places ZBD among a select few credible Bitcoin payment service providers. We believe in ZBD's vision to merge payments with the Bitcoin Lightning Network within the gaming ecosystem."

Future of Payments within Gaming

In 2025, ZBD became one of the pioneers to obtain both MiCAR and EMI licenses in the Netherlands, providing regulated fiat and cryptocurrency payment services across the European Economic Area. This expansion, coupled with Money Transmitter Licenses in the United States, positions ZBD to extend its services beyond mere rewards. The company plans to introduce additional capabilities, such as card issuance and virtual banking services. The anticipated developments throughout 2026 aim to establish a comprehensive payments framework for game publishers, thus transforming payments from a cost center into a crucial strategic asset for deeper user experiences.

CEO Simon Cowell stated, "ZBD is the cornerstone of payment infrastructure for the future of gaming and virtual realities, where real money flows seamlessly through engaging content. By granting developers and publishers complete control over their payment processes, we're maximizing revenue opportunities and introducing innovative, real-money experiences deeply integrated into gameplay."

Conclusion

With the recent funding secured and ambitious plans set in motion, ZBD is poised to revolutionize the gaming industry. By facilitating embedded real-money transactions, ZBD aims to enhance overall player experiences and expand revenue streams. The future of gaming payments looks promising, as ZBD leads the charge in making financial interactions a native aspect of play.

For more details about ZBD's solutions and developments, visit their official website at zbdpay.com.