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Raise secures $63 million to expand its blockchain-powered gift card system, introducing Smart Cards that enhance security, reduce fraud, and offer programmable retail currency options. The funding, led by Haun Ventures and supported by major investors, enables Raise to strengthen partnerships with financial institutions and digital wallet providers like Citi Bank, WalletConnect, and Polkadot Community Foundation. Through the Retail Alliance Foundation, the company aims to create a standardized, fraud-resistant gift card network benefiting both retailers and consumers.
Raise Lands $63 Million—Here’s Why It Matters
Raise secures $63 million in a strategic funding round led by Haun Ventures, with contributions from Amber Group, Anagram, Blackpine, and other major investors. This new capital pushes the company’s total funding past $220 million, reinforcing its position in blockchain-powered payments.
The company plans to use the funding to advance its blockchain-backed Smart Cards, which function as programmable retail currencies. Raise has been integrating blockchain technology into gift cards for years, but regulatory barriers and technical limitations slowed full implementation. With these obstacles easing, the company is now in a position to expand its efforts on a larger scale.
Blockchain Meets Gift Cards—A Game-Changer for Payments
Raise brings blockchain into the gift card industry by making transactions more secure, reducing fraud, and enabling new consumer engagement models. Traditional gift cards often lack transparency and security, leading to issues like unauthorized reselling, balance theft, and limited interoperability between retailers.
Smart Cards introduce a blockchain-backed framework that allows retailers to create programmable gift cards with enhanced security, real-time tracking, and greater flexibility. These cards function like digital assets, enabling more seamless transactions and deeper brand-customer relationships. Unlike conventional options, blockchain-powered gift cards prevent duplication and unauthorized use while allowing brands to build loyalty programs with customizable rewards.
Meet the Investors Betting Big on Raise
The funding round includes participation from firms specializing in Web3 and financial technology, signaling strong confidence in blockchain-based payments.
Key investors include:
- Haun Ventures – A prominent firm backing blockchain and crypto initiatives
- Amber Group – A global digital asset company supporting blockchain-driven financial solutions
- GSR and Borderless Capital – Firms focusing on Web3 innovation
- New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and PayPal – Previous backers who continue to support Raise’s expansion
The involvement of both crypto-native investors and traditional financial institutions highlights growing interest in blockchain-powered solutions for consumer payments.
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Retailers and Consumers Win Big with Raise’s Expansion
Raise extends its blockchain network through the Retail Alliance Foundation, a nonprofit coalition uniting global brands to develop a fraud-resistant, interoperable gift card system. This initiative aims to replace outdated, siloed systems with a standardized digital infrastructure that benefits both businesses and consumers.
Retailers using Raise’s blockchain-powered gift cards gain:
- Reduced fraud risk – Blockchain validation eliminates unauthorized transactions
- Improved tracking – Real-time monitoring prevents lost or unused balances
- Customizable loyalty programs – Brands can create flexible reward structures
Consumers benefit from secure, easily transferable digital gift cards that integrate with various payment platforms, eliminating restrictions that limit usability in traditional systems.
Raise Teams Up with Industry Giants—Here’s What’s Next
Raise expands its partnerships with major financial institutions and digital wallet providers to streamline blockchain-powered gift card adoption. The company integrates its technology with DOT Wallet through a collaboration with the Polkadot Community Foundation, improving transaction efficiency and compatibility with existing blockchain ecosystems.
In addition, Raise joins forces with WalletConnect, allowing seamless integration with popular digital wallets such as Coinbase, MetaMask, Phantom, and Trust. These partnerships enhance accessibility, enabling consumers to use their blockchain-powered gift cards across multiple platforms without additional conversion steps.
Raise also works with Citi Bank and BILT Rewards, expanding the utility of its blockchain-backed loyalty programs. These collaborations position Raise to integrate its technology into mainstream banking and rewards systems, bridging the gap between digital assets and traditional finance.
Why Raise’s Blockchain-Powered Gift Cards Change the Game
Raise’s blockchain-driven approach to gift cards introduces a scalable, secure, and flexible alternative to conventional options. By leveraging blockchain’s transparency and programmability, the company builds an infrastructure that aligns with evolving consumer expectations for digital payments.
Key takeaways from Raise’s latest developments:
- $63 million in new funding strengthens its ability to scale blockchain-powered solutions
- Retail Alliance Foundation unites brands under a standardized digital gift card system
- Smart Cards transform gift cards into programmable digital assets
- Major partnerships with financial institutions and digital wallets expand adoption
Gift cards now represent more than simple prepaid balances. With Raise’s blockchain technology, they become a secure, adaptable, and fraud-resistant component of the digital economy.
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