A startup focused on Bitcoin payments, ZBD, has successfully secured $40 million in a Series C funding round aimed at enhancing blockchain-based payment infrastructure specifically for the video game industry. The New Jersey-based company specializes in providing payment solutions for game developers and was prominent in this funding round, spearheaded by Blockstream Capital, which contributed a substantial $36 million.
Simon Cowell, cofounder and CEO of ZBD, revealed the details in a conversation, although he opted not to disclose the startup’s valuation or mention other investors involved in the funding. ZBD’s platform facilitates seamless payment integration directly within video games, allowing developers to implement various transaction types, from peer-to-peer transfers to loyalty rewards and Bitcoin payouts, all without the need for third-party fintech intermediaries. Cowell emphasized the significance of offering a payment solution that establishes a direct financial connection between developers and players.
This funding comes at a time when interest in crypto gaming appears to be waning. Once highlighted as a front-runner in demonstrating the potential of blockchain technology, crypto-based gaming, particularly those driven by NFTs, has encountered hurdles in achieving mainstream acceptance following the 2021-2022 crypto boom. ZBD, however, has chosen to steer clear of NFTs and crypto-centric gameplay, instead directing its focus toward payment solutions, an area that has shown more lasting adoption, particularly as stablecoins gain traction with major financial players like Stripe and JPMorgan Chase.
Founded by Cowell in collaboration with André Neves and Christian Moss, ZBD leans on Bitcoin rather than stablecoins for its tech solutions. It positions itself as a comprehensive payments provider, empowering developers to offer in-game transactions without relying on external services, thus keeping users engaged within their platforms.
Although ZBD is currently not profitable and has not publicly shared specific revenue numbers, Cowell noted that the company has collaborated with 55 games up to the year 2025 and currently employs around 70 individuals. The funds raised are intended for broadening ZBD’s payment product lineup over the next year.
One of ZBD’s notable implementations includes Bitcoin rewards integrated into TapNation’s mobile game “Idle Bank,” which made headlines last year as the first mainstream mobile game to offer Lightning Network payouts. This feature significantly boosted player retention by 355% over a 30-day period and increased revenue per player by 124%.
The company, which initially explored Bitcoin rewards with a modified Counter-Strike server, has developed a software development kit (SDK) and application programming interface (API), enabling game developers to easily introduce Bitcoin rewards while addressing concerns related to cybersecurity and fraud. ZBD’s unique approach turns advertising revenue into Bitcoin rewards for players, driving higher engagement and monetization levels, and has already contributed to substantial growth for games like “Bitcoin Miner.”
