SaruTobi is first game on iOS with ZBD-powered Bitcoin microtransactions

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Fintech company ZBD has enabled native Bitcoin microtransactions in Mandelduck’s mobile game SaruTobi.

The move makes it one of the first iOS games to feature native in-app purchases using Bitcoin through ZBD’s Lightning Network.

The relaunch of SaruTobi on iOS has come in response to regulatory shifts like the Digital Markets Act and the Epic vs Apple ruling, which are compelling platforms like Apple to allow alternative payment methods.

A historic shift

SaruTobi originally launched in 2013 but was removed from the App Store because of its Bitcoin integration. It later returned without Bitcoin functionality, but now, over a decade later, Bitcoin is back in-game and enabling “far more flexible payment mechanics”.

ZBD said that this model pairs naturally with rewarded gameplay, which allows players to earn small amounts of Bitcoin through gameplay and spend them within the same title.

The fintech firm believes the integration marks a major milestone in its mission to power programmable payments in interactive entertainment. 

“Apple’s approval of Bitcoin microtransactions in SaruTobi is a historic shift,” said ZBD co-founder and CTO André Neves.

“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.

“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 monetise, engage and grow.”