FastSpring vs Mercury

Turn Discord into High-Margin D2C Revenue Engine for Mobile Games

Braden Steel of FastSpring discusses how mobile game publishers can leverage Discord communities to create high-margin direct-to-consumer (D2C) revenue streams. By integrating monetization within Discord, publishers can reduce checkout friction and maximize conversion rates. Key tactics include using server-side authentication, one-click mobile wallets like Apple Pay, and repeat buyer acceleration. Discord's server roles facilitate automated merchandising and upsell opportunities, enhancing average order value. Additionally, localized payment rails are crucial for international player engagement. The article highlights FastSpring's Discord bot, which enables branded storefronts and seamless checkout experiences directly within chat, fostering loyalty and higher net margins.

• FastSpring highlights Discord monetization as next shift for mobile publishers after web stores.
• Server-side authentication and one-click wallets can cut cart abandonment rates.
• Discord server roles allow automated merchandising and upsell paths.

In-Game vs Web Store Pricing for D2C Monetization

This article from PocketGamer.biz provides guidance on pricing and packaging strategies for direct-to-consumer (D2C) web stores in mobile gaming. It emphasizes that publishers should start by understanding their game's economy, specifically the balance of sources and sinks, before setting prices. Data from an A/B test suggests that offering additional entitlements (e.g., more gems for the same price) outperforms price discounts in driving conversions and revenue. The article also highlights the importance of reducing friction through direct checkout, citing return purchase rates around 90% for FastSpring's larger clients. Additionally, it discusses alternative strategies to drive D2C behavior without changing prices, such as content creator programs, loyalty currencies, and exclusive web-store products. The piece concludes that there is no universal pricing formula; success depends on iterating based on game-specific data.

• Only 2% to 3% of players spend money in many mobile games.
• A/B test showed additional entitlements outperform price discounts in D2C conversion.
• FastSpring's larger clients report return purchase rates around 90% on web stores.

FastSpring Launches Funnel Audits: The Ultimate Monetization Insight Engine

FastSpring has launched Funnel Audits, a new monetization insight engine, as announced on September 23rd, 2026. The blog also features new posts on achieving the highest NPS among top MoRs, California SB 122 tax changes, and a partnership with Paysafe.

Blacksmith hits unicorn valuation with $66M Series C

Blacksmith, a platform that helps companies build and test software including AI-generated code, announced a $66 million Series C funding round led by Sequoia, valuing the company at $1 billion. The company also reported that its annual recurring revenue has grown 17x and that it has run over 90 million CI jobs. Customers include Mercury and Granola. This round comes just two months after a $45 million Series B at a $550 million valuation. A year ago, Blacksmith was valued at $60 million after a $10 million Series A. Total funding raised to date is $125 million. The company aims to address the growing volume of continuous integration (CI) needed as AI agents write more software, emphasizing the importance of trust in code validation.

• Blacksmith raised a $66 million Series C round led by Sequoia at a $1 billion valuation.
• The company's annual recurring revenue has grown 17x.
• Blacksmith has run over 90 million CI jobs.

Mercury Hits $1B Annualized Revenue, CEO Reveals on Podcast

Mercury, a fintech startup, announced it has surpassed $1 billion in annualized revenue, marking approximately 50% year-over-year growth. The company now serves over 450,000 customers and is launching a new payroll service. CEO Immad Akhund disclosed these milestones during an interview on the Newcomer Podcast. Akhund also discussed broader industry topics, including the potential for AI agents to spend money autonomously, his view that the startup ecosystem is experiencing a bubble, and a cooldown in fintech startups following the pandemic-era boom. The announcement underscores Mercury's rapid scaling in the B2B financial technology space, which could have indirect implications for payment infrastructure and financial operations within the advertising and marketing technology sectors.

• Mercury reached $1 billion in annualized revenue, up 50% year over year.
• The company has over 450,000 customers.
• Mercury is launching a payroll service.

JPMorgan Blocks AI Agents; Mercury Embraces Them

JPMorgan Chase has decided to block outside AI agents, such as Meta's Muse, from accessing customer accounts and initiating money movements, as stated by CEO Jamie Dimon. This move aims to protect its cheap deposit base of $2.7 trillion, which pays only 0.01% on savings. However, the ban does not prevent AI agents from advising customers to switch banks. In contrast, fintech Mercury allows AI agents to connect via a hosted MCP server, and AI assistants now recommend Mercury over Chase by a five-to-one margin. The article analyzes the limitations of the ban, JPMorgan's potential motives, and the implications for the emerging agentic finance ecosystem.

• JPMorgan Chase blocks outside AI agents from customer accounts and money movement.
• CEO Jamie Dimon announced the ban, citing security and protection of deposits.
• Chase has $2.7 trillion in average deposits, with savings paying just 0.01%.