PayPal-Backed Raise Secures $63M to Expand Blockchain-Based Gift Card System

The Gift Card Revolution is Here – And It’s Got Blockchain! 🎉💳

What to know:

  • Raise, much like a determined child trying to reach the cookie jar, raised $63 million in a funding round led by Haun Ventures. Previous rounds were graced by the likes of PayPal, Accel, and New Enterprise Associates – a real who’s who among the investors!
  • The plan is as crystal clear as a muddy pond: expand their blockchain-based “Smart Cards” program. Because who doesn’t want their gift card to also be a tech wizard?
  • And just to spice things up, they’ve enlisted a new Board of Directors that features former bigwigs from Kraken, Honey, and GrubHub – a veritable Avengers team for the digital currency world.

So there you have it, folks! Raise – a company that’s making gift cards a little less boring and a whole lot more 21st century – has corralled a whopping $63 million, all thanks to Haun Ventures. That brings their bankroll to over $220 million, which must feel like winning the lottery, minus the confetti and the awkward dance.

With the funds, they’ll work on turning gift cards into something you can actually brag about at parties – “This isn’t just any gift card; it’s blockchain-backed!” Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? They’re also planning to expand the Retail Alliance Foundation, which sounds important but could use a snappier name. “The non-profit looking to save the world, one gift card at a time.”

George Bousis, the illustrious captain of this ship, claims that they aren’t just chasing trends like a dog chasing its tail. No, they’ve been at this for years, laying the groundwork while we were all busy scrolling through cat videos!

“The crypto industry needs real utility now more than ever,” Bousis mused, probably while sipping an overpriced coffee. “Investors want substance over speculation, and consumers are tired of broken promises.” Amen to that, preach on brother!

And let’s not forget the new governance dream team they’ve assembled, featuring Marco Santori, George Ruan, Matt Maloney, and Bjorn Wagner. It’s like a tech conference, but with more power suits and fewer awkward silences.

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2025-02-27 16:50