ZBD, the innovative fintech company creating next-gen payment experiences for interactive entertainment, has enabled native Bitcoin microtransactions in the mobile game SaruTobi, making it the first iOS game to integrate Lightning-powered in-app purchases using Bitcoin.
The launch follows recent regulatory and legal developments – including the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and rulings such as Epic v. Apple – that are forcing platform gatekeepers like Apple to open their ecosystems to alternative payment methods. These changes have unlocked a new frontier for developers to innovate beyond traditional fiat-based in-app purchases.
Originally launched in 2013, SaruTobi was the first mobile game ever to feature a Bitcoin integration, and was even removed from the App Store for doing so. Over a decade later, the game returns to iOS with seamless Bitcoin payment functionality, powered by ZBD’s fast, low-cost infrastructure built on the Lightning Network.
André Neves, Co-Founder and CTO of ZBD, commented:
“Apple’s approval of Bitcoin microtransactions in SaruTobi is a historic shift. The tech for open, developer-driven payments has existed for a while. What’s changed is the regulatory environment which has cracked open the gates. By integrating Lightning directly into the game, we’ve created a frictionless experience that gives players new ways to engage, spend, and earn value.”
André Neves, Co-Founder and CTO of ZBD
Unlike traditional in-app purchases, which often come with steep platform fees and rigid pricing tiers, this new model allows developers to experiment with far more flexible payment mechanics.
For example, SaruTobi players can now spend just a few cents to unlock a retry after failing a level, rather than committing to fixed-dollar bundles. These microtransactions settle instantly, don’t interrupt gameplay, and lower the barrier to entry for users who might otherwise never make a purchase.
This model also pairs naturally with rewarded gameplay. Players can earn small amounts of Bitcoin through gameplay and spend those sats within the same title – unlocking boosts, upgrades, or other utilities. This keeps value circulating within the ecosystem and encourages deeper engagement, while giving developers powerful new tools to convert non-spending players.
Neves added:
With Bitcoin, developers can now create payments that are instant, programmable, and borderless down to the cent or less. This isn’t just about payments. It’s about rewriting how games monetize, engage, and grow.”
André Neves, Co-Founder and CTO of ZBD
This integration marks a new phase for ZBD’s journey to power programmable payments across interactive entertainment. With the door now open, more studios are expected to adopt alternative, real-money payment rails for mobile games in the months ahead.
