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ZBD operates as a specialized fintech company providing instant and low-cost payment solutions tailored for the global gaming industry. The company develops infrastructure that leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network to facilitate real-time value transfer and microtransactions within digital experiences. This platform functions as a fully licensed payment service, ensuring compliant access for both players and developers across key markets in the United States and Europe.
The company was co-founded in 2019 by Simon Cowell, André Neves, and Christian Moss. Their collective insight centered on the need to fundamentally transform the economics of digital gaming, moving beyond traditional payment rails to embrace the efficiency and programmability offered by Bitcoin's Layer 2 solution. The founders aimed to bridge the gap between digital entertainment and real-world value.
ZBD serves game developers and players by integrating seamless payment functionalities directly into games and applications. Its vision is to foster open and inclusive digital economies where value can flow freely, making gaming a more interactive and financially engaging experience. The company aims to enable a new paradigm of monetisation and reward systems within the digital realm.
ZBD has raised $98.5M across 4 funding rounds.
ZBD has raised $98.5M in total across 4 funding rounds.
ZBD has raised $98.5M in total across 4 funding rounds.
ZBD's investors include Nicolas Brand, Afonso Campos, Initial Capital, Lakestar, Kenny Lee, Square Enix, Cadenza Capital Management, Hilmar Veigar Petursson, Ben Cousens, Alexis Bonte, Chris Lee, John Salter.
ZBD has raised $98.5M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $40.0M Zebedee - Series C in January 2026.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2026 | $40M Series C | Nicolas Brand | — | Announced |
| Jul 19, 2022 | $35M Series B | Afonso Campos | Initial Capital, Lakestar, Kenny LEE, Square Enix, Cadenza Capital Management, Hilmar Veigar Petursson | Announced |
| Sep 7, 2021 | $11.5M Venture Round | BEN Cousens | Alexis Bonte, Chris LEE, Hilmar Veigar Petursson, John Salter, Timo Soininen, Cadenza Ventures, Collab+Currency, Fulgur Ventures, Initial Capital, NEW Form Capital, Trammell Venture Partners | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2021 | $12M Series A | — | Cadenza Capital Management, Foobar.vc, Lakestar, Hilmar Veigar Petursson | Announced |
ZBD is a US-based fintech company founded in 2019 that builds a payment stack for games, enabling instant real-money rewards and seamless in-game transactions powered by the Bitcoin Lightning Network.[1][2][3] It serves game developers and players across 100+ markets, solving the problem of embedding frictionless Bitcoin payments into gameplay to boost engagement, such as paying players for rewards or enabling purchases without leaving the game.[1][2][4] With over 3 million app downloads, ZBD demonstrates strong growth momentum through its app for earning Bitcoin via games, surveys, and polls, alongside developer tools like software kits for in-game commerce.[3][5]
ZBD was founded in 2019 by Simon Cowell (CEO, experienced executive and investor drawn to Bitcoin's gaming potential), Andre Neves (CTO, Bitcoin Lightning engineer with product design expertise), and Christian Moss (Head of R&D, early Bitcoin game developer and Lightning gaming pioneer).[2][3] The idea emerged from the intersection of gaming and Bitcoin, aiming to integrate Lightning Network payments natively into games as a fully remote team of gamers and Bitcoin enthusiasts.[1][3] Early traction came from pioneering instant real-money rewards, positioning ZBD as the only licensed provider for embedded transactions, with rapid expansion to its app boasting millions of downloads.[1][5]
ZBD rides the wave of Bitcoin gaming and Web3 payments, capitalizing on the Lightning Network's scalability for microtransactions in virtual worlds where traditional fiat systems fall short.[1][3][4] Timing aligns with surging play-to-earn models and Bitcoin adoption, amplified by gaming's massive scale—virtual economies need internet-native currency like Bitcoin for seamless interoperability.[4][5] Market forces favoring ZBD include fintech-gaming convergence, regulatory progress for crypto payments, and developer demand for engagement-boosting rewards, influencing the ecosystem by onboarding millions to Bitcoin via fun, accessible apps and bridging devs to new monetization.[2][5]
ZBD is poised to dominate Bitcoin-powered gaming payments as Lightning adoption grows and play-to-earn evolves into mainstream in-game economies. Expect expansions in SDK integrations, more high-earning games, and deeper community tools amid rising crypto-gaming trends and regulatory clarity. Its influence could reshape how money flows in virtual worlds, turning ZBD from rewards pioneer into the essential payment layer for the next billion gamers—proving that ZBD is the payment stack for games is just the start.
