**Raise Secures $63 Million Funding to Transform the Gift Card Industry** MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Raise, a leader in the global gift card market and innovator in blockchain payments, has successfully completed a $63 million funding round, led by Haun Ventures. This funding round saw participation from various investors, including Amber Group, Anagram, and the Web3 Foundation, bringing Raise's total funding to over $220 million. Founder and CEO George Bousis highlighted that Raise is reshaping consumer interaction with gift cards, focusing on loyalty rather than just gift-giving. The company is committing to significant investments to realize its vision of integrating gift cards into a blockchain framework, now feasible due to advances in regulatory and technological landscapes. The funding will enhance Raise's blockchain-backed gift card program, Smart Cards, and expand the Retail Alliance Foundation, aimed at creating a secure and efficient gift card network.

Raise has partnered with BFG Labs to seed this initiative with key intellectual property and is actively engaging with major financial and loyalty programs, including Citi Bank. Haun Ventures' General Partner Diogo Monica noted Raise's promising strategy for addressing the outdated gift card market through experienced leadership and a solid infrastructure. This year, Raise has begun integrating with DOT Wallet and WalletConnect to allow seamless transactions in various digital environments. As part of the funding announcement, Raise has appointed a new Board of Directors, adding notable figures from the blockchain and tech industries, including Marco Santori and George Ruan. With global gift card sales projected to surpass $2. 3 trillion by 2030, Raise has processed over $5 billion in transactions for nearly 7 million users and over 1, 000 retail partners. The introduction of blockchain gift cards represents the culmination of extensive efforts to enhance consumer trust and engagement in this sector. For further details, visit: https://www. raise. com/ **About Raise** Since 2013, Raise has been a pioneer in the gift card industry, facilitating over $5 billion in transactions through its consumer app and B2B offerings. With over 1, 000 brand partnerships, it provides activation and redemption across a vast network of retail platforms. **About the Retail Alliance Foundation** The Retail Alliance Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to transforming the global loyalty economy by fostering innovation, enhancing security, and uniting industry stakeholders for a sustainable gift card ecosystem. **Media Contact:** [email protected] **SOURCE Raise**