Bitcoin Startup ZBD Raises $40 Million in Series C Funding

ZBD, a Bitcoin payment startup, closed a $40 million Series C round led by Blockstream Capital, targeting enhanced blockchain payment solutions for gaming, as revealed in a Fortune report.

The funding enables ZBD to expand blockchain payment tech in gaming, impacting over 55 mobile games and broadening user access to Bitcoin transactions.

ZBD Secures $40M, Accelerating Bitcoin’s Gaming Integration

ZBD’s recent funding round culminated in a $40 million Series C, primarily led by Blockstream Capital. The participation of Blockstream, under the guidance of early Bitcoin investor Adam Back, underscores ZBD’s momentum in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The funding will propel ZBD’s ambition to develop a comprehensive suite of payment products. This suite is anticipated to enhance how Bitcoin transactions integrate with gaming, significantly benefiting ZBD’s current partnerships with over 55 mobile games.

The broader gaming community has shown considerable interest, particularly due to Blockstream’s involvement. While no official comments from key cryptocurrency leaders were provided, the investment signals confidence in Bitcoin’s ongoing integration into gaming. As Simon Cowell, Co-founder and CEO of ZBD, remarked, “We’re a FinTech for the gaming industry… a payments platform that game developers can use to put money into their games.”

Bitcoin Hits $89,950 as ZBD Embraces Lightning Network

Did you know? ZBD’s inception has aligned with the rise of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, facilitating microtransactions in gaming. This Series C funding may enhance Lightning’s role within the gaming sector, bridging financial technologies and entertainment.

As of the last update at 13:08 UTC on January 22, 2026, Bitcoin is valued at $89,950.22, according to CoinMarketCap. With a market cap of $1.80 trillion and a dominance of 59.17%, Bitcoin’s trading volume reached $47.93 billion despite a 11.22% decrease.

The Coincu research team identifies the potential for increased regulatory interest as Bitcoin continues to permeate new industries, like gaming. The expansion of blockchain technology into sectors like entertainment could bolster both technological and fiscal innovation globally.