Bitcoin Payments Startup ZBD Raises $40M to Build Gaming Payments Rails

Bitcoin payments startup ZBD has successfully raised $40 million in a Series C funding round, led by Blockstream Capital with a $36 million contribution, to build out its blockchain-based payment infrastructure specifically for the video game industry. The New Jersey-based company provides software allowing game developers to integrate direct payments, such as peer-to-peer transfers and Bitcoin payouts, into games without needing third-party fintech providers. ZBD's CEO, Simon Cowell, emphasized enabling a direct financial relationship between developers and players, deliberately focusing on payments rather than the struggling NFT-driven crypto gaming models. The company's technology centers on Bitcoin, and its integration of Lightning Network payouts into games like *Idle Bank* has shown significant success, boosting player retention and revenue. The new capital will be used to expand ZBD's product suite over the next year.

(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)