Existing payment systems for gaming were largely retrofitted from other sectors, creating friction in modern economies that rely on esports prizes, creator payouts, and complex player-to-player commerce. ZBD aims to replace these one-way transaction models with a native infrastructure that treats money movement as a driver for engagement and long-term loyalty rather than a simple cost center. The company, which has secured $90 million in funding from investors including Square Enix and Lakestar, operates as a licensed payment provider across the US and the European Economic Area.

The platform’s architecture consists of four primary pillars: programmable embedded accounts for real-money marketplaces, instant payout systems for creators and competitors, native reward loops for LiveOps, and white-label debit cards that link real-world spending to in-game benefits. By handling KYC, compliance, and fraud protection end-to-end, ZBD allows developers to maintain control over their internal economies.

Early adoption is already underway among major titles. 1047 Games, the studio behind Splitgate, is utilizing the payout technology to incentivize community growth through referral programs, while publisher Joygame has integrated the reward system to boost daily active users. According to ZBD Chief Commercial Officer Gordon Thornton, this rollout represents the culmination of a seven-year effort to provide studios with the regulatory licenses and technical architecture necessary to formalize two-way financial relationships with their player bases.