Lyzi Raises $1.4M to Supercharge Tezos Crypto Payments for Retail Expansion
In a significant milestone for blockchain-based retail innovation, Lyzi, a crypto payments platform built on the Tezos blockchain, has announced the successful closure of its €1.3 million (approximately $1.4 million) seed funding round. This development marks a pivotal moment in the company’s growth journey as it aims to streamline cryptocurrency payments across physical retail and e-commerce ecosystems.
Strategic Support from Industry Leaders
The funding round saw participation from high-profile angel investors including Christopher Grilhault des Fontaines, the founder of Dfns, and Jean-Luc Bernard, the founder of IT services firm Astek. Their support not only injects capital into Lyzi’s roadmap but also brings strategic insight and expertise that could accelerate adoption in both technological and commercial arenas.
“We’re thrilled to bring on visionary investors who understand the long-term potential of crypto payments,” said Damien Patureaux, CEO of Lyzi. “Their belief in our mission reinforces our commitment to building a seamless bridge between crypto and commerce.”
Lyzi’s Core Offering: Crypto to Fiat Simplified
At its core, Lyzi enables consumers to pay for everyday goods and services using various cryptocurrencies. Merchants receive these payments directly in fiat currency, removing the complexity and volatility associated with digital asset transactions.
This capability is crucial for encouraging widespread adoption among businesses, especially those wary of crypto’s price fluctuations or regulatory uncertainties. By providing a user-friendly, regulatory-compliant platform, Lyzi acts as a mediator between Web3 technologies and real-world commerce.
Why Tezos?
Lyzi leverages Tezos, a scalable, energy-efficient Layer-1 blockchain that is renowned for its low gas fees and smart contract capabilities. Tezos has gained traction in various sectors, including finance, gaming, and now retail crypto payments, thanks to its governance model and robust developer community.
“Choosing Tezos wasn’t arbitrary,” Patureaux noted. “Its commitment to sustainability and on-chain governance aligns with our values and vision for a more inclusive and innovative financial future.”
Next Phase: Entering Etherlink—Tezos’ EVM-Compatible Layer-2
Looking ahead, Lyzi plans to launch its next iteration on Etherlink, Tezos’ Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible Layer-2 solution. Etherlink allows seamless integration with the Ethereum ecosystem while maintaining the performance and cost-efficiency benefits of Tezos.
“Building on Etherlink is our next big step,” said Patureaux. “It opens up tremendous opportunities for scaling, particularly in EVM-based ecosystems. With Etherlink, we can offer even faster transactions and broader compatibility for both users and merchants.”
Expanding Across Borders
With this funding, Lyzi is set to expand its footprint into new international markets. Its strategic focus will be on onboarding more retail and e-commerce merchants, optimizing its user interface, and launching targeted awareness campaigns to drive consumer engagement.
The company is also exploring partnerships with financial institutions and fintech platforms to further embed crypto payment solutions within traditional payment infrastructures.
Bridging the Web2 to Web3 Gap
One of Lyzi’s most important missions is to ease the transition for traditional businesses into the decentralized economy. Its plug-and-play model for retailers, coupled with fiat settlement, eliminates the need for deep technical knowledge.
By enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and Tezos while receiving local currency directly in their bank accounts, Lyzi demystifies crypto transactions and removes barriers to entry.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Crypto in Retail
Lyzi’s latest funding marks more than just a capital boost—it’s a strong vote of confidence in the future of crypto payments. As traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems continue to converge, platforms like Lyzi play a critical role in paving the way for mass adoption.
With its Tezos and Etherlink integration, growing investor confidence, and merchant-first approach, Lyzi is well-positioned to become a dominant player in the blockchain retail space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Lyzi?
Lyzi is a crypto payment platform that allows users to make retail and e-commerce payments using cryptocurrencies. Merchants receive payments in fiat currency directly to their bank accounts.
2. How much did Lyzi raise in its latest funding round?
Lyzi raised €1.3 million (around $1.4 million) in a seed funding round.
3. Who are the key investors in Lyzi’s funding round?
The round included angel investors like Christopher Grilhault des Fontaines (founder of Dfns) and Jean-Luc Bernard (founder of Astek).
4. What blockchain is Lyzi built on?
Lyzi is built on the Tezos Layer-1 blockchain and is planning integration with Etherlink, Tezos’ EVM-compatible Layer-2.
5. What is Etherlink?
Etherlink is Tezos’ Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible Layer-2 solution designed to enhance scalability and interoperability with Ethereum-based applications.
6. How do merchants benefit from Lyzi?
Merchants can accept crypto payments while receiving fiat settlements, eliminating volatility and simplifying accounting.
7. Is Lyzi available globally?
Lyzi is expanding internationally and currently supports multiple European markets, with plans to enter more regions in 2025.
8. Which cryptocurrencies does Lyzi support?
Lyzi supports popular assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and Tezos.
9. Does Lyzi hold or convert crypto for merchants?
No, Lyzi facilitates automatic conversion to fiat, ensuring that merchants receive local currency without holding crypto.
10. What are Lyzi’s fees?
Fees are minimal and competitive, with the platform focusing on making crypto payments as cost-effective as traditional card transactions.
11. How is Lyzi different from other crypto payment platforms?
Lyzi uniquely combines Tezos-based scalability, fiat settlement, and an intuitive UX to simplify adoption for traditional merchants.
12. When will Lyzi integrate with Etherlink?
The Etherlink integration is planned as part of Lyzi’s 2025 roadmap, following its recent seed funding.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any investment strategy. Cryptocurrency investments carry risks, and readers should conduct their own research or consult a financial advisor before making decisions.
