Openfort secures a $3M seed round, streamlining crypto account management and programmable transactions for game developers.

Openfort Raises $3M Seed Round


As of 2026, the "wallet-as-a-service" (WaaS) landscape has matured. The decision to choose a provider no longer depends solely on frontend features; it now hinges on your business model, transaction volume, and security requirements.

## What is Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS)?

Wallet-as-a-Service is a cloud-based infrastructure that allows developers to integrate digital wallets into their applications without building the underlying security and blockchain logic from scratch. WaaS providers handle private key management, transaction signing, and network interactions, allowing teams to focus on their core product.

This guide compares top infrastructure providers by **use case**, helping you choose the right tool for your stack.

- [Privy alternatives](https://openfort.io/blog/privy-alternatives)
- [Dynamic alternatives](https://openfort.io/blog/dynamic-alternatives)
- [Turnkey alternatives](https://openfort.io/blog/turnkey-alternatives)
- [Thirdweb alternatives](https://openfort.io/blog/thirdweb-alternatives)
- [DFNS alternatives](https://openfort.io/blog/dfns-alternatives)

## 1. [Agentic Finance](https://www.openfort.io/solutions/ai-agents)
**Profile**: AI Agents, Automated Portfolio Managers, Background Execution.

**The Challenge**: You need "headless" infrastructure where an AI or script can sign transactions without human intervention, often requiring high-throughput and programmable permissions.

### Top 3 Contenders
1.  **Turnkey**: The primitive for programmable signing.
2.  **Openfort**: The orchestration layer for agent policies.
3.  **Privy**: The headless wallet for agent policies.

### Feature Match
| Feature | Turnkey | Openfort | Privy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Key Tech** | TEE (Enclaves) | Backend wallet | MPC |
| **Policy Engine** | ✅ Transaction-based | ✅ Granular / Contract | ✅ Transaction-based |
| **Signer Type** | API / Headless | API / Headless | API / Headless |
| **Latency** | Sub-50ms | ~100ms | ~200ms |
| **Pricing** | Signature-based | Transaction-based | Monthly SaaS |

**Why Openfort?** While Turnkey provides the raw speed, **Openfort** allows you to orchestrate multiple signers and apply complex "spending limits" (e.g., "Max 1 ETH/day") that are critical for keeping autonomous agents safe.

## 2. [Fintech and Stablecoins](https://www.openfort.io/solutions/payments)
**Profile**: Neobanks, Cross-border payments, Yield apps.

**The Challenge**: You are dealing with high-value assets and regulatory scrutiny. You need institutional-grade security (MPC) and strict controls over user funds, often hiding the "crypto" entirely.

### Top 3 Contenders
1.  **DFNS**: Institutional MPC.
2.  **Openfort**: Compliance-ready infrastructure.
3.  **Privy**: Enterprise-grade compliance (SOC2).

### Feature Match
| Feature | DFNS | Openfort | Privy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Custody Model** | Decentralized MPC | Self-custody / Hybrid | Delegated HSM/MPC |
| **Compliance** | SOC2 Type II | SOC2 Type II | SOC2 Type II |
| **Gas Sponsorship** | ❌ (Need 3rd party) | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| **Auth Methods** | API-driven | Any OIDC / Custom | Social / Email |
| **Recovery** | Multi-party | Social / Cloud | Email / SMS |

**Why Openfort?** Openfort bridges the gap between secure custody and a smooth user experience. While Dfns focus on pure infrastructure, Openfort provides the gas sponsorship and account abstraction features needed to make a blockchain application feel like a standard fintech app.


## 3. [DeFi and Trading](https://www.openfort.io/solutions/defi)
**Profile**: DEXs, Aggregators, Pro Trading Terminals.

**The Challenge**: Speed and Security. Users are signing high-value transactions frequently. You need a balance of seamless connection (WalletConnect/Injected) and powerful embedded options for new users.

### Top 3 Contenders
1.  **Dynamic**: The best multi-chain wallet adapter.
2.  **Turnkey**: For sub-millisecond signing latency.
3.  **Openfort**: For advanced trading policies.

### Feature Match
| Feature | Dynamic | Turnkey | Openfort |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Wallet Aggregation** | ✅ Best-in-class | ❌ | ❌ |
| **Multi-chain** | EVM, SVM, Cosmos | EVM, SVM | EVM, SVM |
| **Embedded Wallets** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **Session Keys** | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **Pricing** | MAU-based | Usage-based | Usage-based |

**Why Openfort?** If you are building a pro trading terminal that requires **Session Keys** (so users don't sign every trade) or automated "Stop Loss" execution, **Openfort's** policy engine enables features that Dynamic's UI-focused adapter cannot handle.

## 4. [Consumer and Mobile Apps](https://www.openfort.io/solutions/consumer)
**Profile**: Social, Rewards, Prediction Markets. High MAU, Low Transaction Value.

**The Challenge**: Onboarding friction and Cost. You need social login (Google/Apple) and a pricing model that doesn't punish you for having 100k free users.

### Top 3 Contenders
1.  **Thirdweb**: The conversion king.
2.  **Openfort**: The scalable alternative.
3.  **Web3Auth**: The budget-friendly auth.

### Feature Match
| Feature | Thirdweb | Openfort | Web3Auth |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Conversion UX** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| **Social Login** | ✅ Native | ✅ Any OIDC | ✅ Extensive |
| **Mobile SDK** | RN, Swift, Flutter | RN, Swift | RN, Swift |
| **Cost (10k MAU)** | ~$200/mo | Usage-based (Low) | ~$399/mo |
| **White-label** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |

**Why Openfort?** Openfort is built for scale. As you reach thousands of users, the costs of some providers can become a major hurdle. Our usage-based model ensures you only pay for active transaction volume, not just for every user who signs up.


## 5. [Gaming](https://www.openfort.io/solutions/gaming)
**Profile**: RPGs, TCGs, Fully Onchain Games.

**The Challenge**: Gameplay interruption. You cannot pop up a wallet signature request every time a player moves or attacks. You need **Session Keys**.

### Top 3 Contenders
1.  **Sequence**: The all-in-one gaming stack.
2.  **Openfort**: The headless gaming wallet.
3.  **Thirdweb**: The ecosystem play.

### Feature Match
| Feature | Sequence | Openfort | Thirdweb |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Game Engine SDK** | Unity / Unreal | Unity | Unity / Unreal |
| **Session Keys** | ✅ | ✅ (Granular) | ✅ |
| **Marketplace** | ✅ Included | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| **Smart Accounts** | Native | Native (ERC-4337) | Integrated |
| **Ecosystem** | Gaming-focused | Agnostic | Full Stack |

**Why Openfort?** Choose Openfort if you have a game backend and need a specialized "wallet engine." Unlike Sequence or Thirdweb, which often act as a full-stack solution, Openfort plugs into your existing infrastructure to handle onchain complexity behind the scenes.


Compare Openfort with other wallet tools. Discover why developers prefer Openfort for secure infrastructure and better user experience

Choosing the Right Wallet Infrastructure (2026 Guide)



ERC-4337 is a standard for account abstraction on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This post explores the Paymaster component of ERC-4337 and how it enables sponsored transactions for developers.

## What is an ERC-4337 Paymaster?

A Paymaster is a smart contract that can pay for another user's transaction fees. This allows developers to "sponsor" gas costs for their players, removing the need for new users to hold native tokens like ETH or MATIC before they can play. Paymasters follow specific rules (policies) to determine when and for whom they should cover costs.


![PaymasterArchitecture-min.png](/images/blog/Paymaster_Architecture_min_6f6cfb813d.png)

Let's explore the four major steps involved in this process.

1. **Initiate UserOperation**: Openfort receives a "UserOperation" (a bundle of transaction data) from the player.
2. **Consult the Paymaster**: The system checks if the transaction is eligible for sponsorship based on predefined rules. It verifies that the Paymaster has enough funds deposited to cover the cost.
3. **Apply Custom Logic**: The Paymaster can run its own logic, such as checking if a player has reached a daily limit or if they own a specific NFT.
4. **Validate and Execute**: Openfort authenticates the signatures and submits the transaction to the network. The gas fee is then automatically deducted from the Paymaster's balance.


## Types of Paymasters

Paymasters can generally be categorized into two types: those with off-chain logic and those with on-chain logic, or simply put those that abstract the payment of network tokens and those that abstract the payment of network tokens with an alternative ERC-20 token.

### [Standard Paymasters](https://www.openfort.io/docs/configuration/sponsor-rules): Sponsoring transaction fees

![PaymasterArchitecture (1)-min.png](/images/blog/Paymaster_Architecture_1_min_568b3ecc56.png)

Currently, to transact on blockchains you'll need the network token to pay for gas (i.e. Polygon you need MATIC). Standard Paymasters offer an alternative approach to this requirement.

Openfort verifies the logic of the paymaster, determines if the paymaster should cover the transaction costs, and signs offchain to pay the gas costs. These costs are directly extracted from the paymaster (smart contract pool) filled with network tokens, similar to the operation of relayers with meta-transactions.


### [ERC20 Paymasters](https://www.openfort.io/docs/configuration/gas-erc20): Paying with ERC-20 tokens

![PaymasterArchitecture (2)-min.png](/images/blog/Paymaster_Architecture_2_min_f815f9fd48.png)

ERC20 Paymasters present another innovative solution. This approach allows for the integration of a Paymaster with an existing ERC-20 token, such as USDC or your own game token. In this scenario, the Paymaster can pay for gas fees with:
- A fixed amount of ERC20 conversion. This implies that the fixed ERC20 amount will pay the amount of gas fees. This brings consistency to the end user experience but also exposes the game to win/lose ERC20 if the value is above/below the gas fee.
- A dynamic amount of ERC20 conversion. This let's you cover the gas fees based on the conversion rate of your ERC20. This could be your preferred conversion rate or simply the conversion rate in a DEX (we'll use an Oracle for that).


### Key Takeaways

- **Subsidized Gas**: You can use ERC-20 tokens from a player's wallet to cover network gas fees. The system collects the token, converts it into the native network asset, and pays the fee on the player's behalf.
- **Granular Policies**: Create rules to sponsor specific contracts, functions, or use cases. You can also set limits based on time or gas cost.
- **Fiat Settlement**: View your gas reports on the dashboard and settle the balance with Fiat, avoiding the need to hold crypto yourself.


## Related reading

- [Exploring EIP-7702](/blog/erc7702-part1) and how it brings smart account features to EOAs
- [Session keys for smooth UX](/blog/technical-dive-session-keys) and how they complement gas sponsorship
- [EOA vs smart wallet](/blog/eoa-vs-smart-wallet): choosing the right account model for your application


One innovation in the blockchain space is EIP-4337, a standard for account abstraction on the EVM ecosystem. In this document, we will delve into the Paymaster component of EIP-4337 and its functionality within the framework.

Technical Dive: Gas Sponsorship via Paymasters

- [What Problem Does Openfort Solve?](#what-problem-does-openfort-solve)
- [Openfort: Gaming Wallet-as-a-Service](#openfort-gaming-wallet-as-a-service)
  * [Abstracted Infrastructure Layer](#abstracted-infrastructure-layer)
  * [Programmable Transactions](#programmable-transactions)
- [Where We Are Today](#where-we-are-today)

We are excited to share that Openfort has raised a seed funding round to simplify crypto account management for game developers. Our platform provides a unified API to connect players with Web3 opportunities through programmable transactions.

We are grateful for the support from our esteemed investors, including 

, Alex Masmej, Cristian Manea and many others.

We are grateful for the support from our esteemed investors, including [gCC](https://www.gumi-cryptos.com/), [M11](https://www.maven11.com/), [PearVC](https://pear.vc/), [Game7](https://game7.io/), [Newman Capital](https://www.newmancapital.com/), [Arcane](https://www.arcanegroup.io/), [NGC](https://ngc.fund/), Alex Masmej, Cristian Manea and many others.

Read the coverage at: [VentureBeat](https://venturebeat.com/games/openfort-raises-3m-for-wallet-as-a-service-infrastructure-for-web3-gaming/) and [Decrypt](https://decrypt.co/140807/openfort-raises-3-million-for-frictionless-gaming-wallet).

[What Problem Does Openfort Solve?](#what-problem-does-openfort-solve)

Building on-chain games often involves a trade-off: either use a simplified onboarding that locks players into a single app or use a traditional wallet that many users find too complex. This complexity often leads to significant user drop-off.

Our mission is to build infrastructure that makes wallets invisible. By focusing on user engagement and seamless on-chain actions, we aim to transform casual visitors into active participants in the Web3 economy.

[Openfort: Gaming Wallet-as-a-Service](#openfort-gaming-wallet-as-a-service)

Openfort provides SDKs and APIs that allow game studios to create and manage fully customizable on-chain accounts. Players can interact with games without ever needing to worry about the technical details of a wallet. We achieve this through two core pillars: 

Openfort provides SDKs and APIs that allow game studios to create and manage fully customizable on-chain accounts. Players can interact with games without ever needing to worry about the technical details of a wallet. We achieve this through two core pillars: **Abstracted Infrastructure** and **Programmable Transactions**.

[Abstracted Infrastructure Layer](#abstracted-infrastructure-layer)

Account Abstraction (AA) makes the Web3 onboarding experience feel as smooth as Web2. This gives developers the control they need to build personalized experiences, including custom access controls, gas sponsorship, and transaction batching.

[Programmable Transactions](#programmable-transactions)

We use smart accounts and session keys to make on-chain interactions safe and automatic. Session keys authorize specific actions for a limited time, allowing for automated signatures and fraud prevention while maintaining a non-custodial design.

[Where We Are Today](#where-we-are-today)

We are working towards a future where developers can create games that interact with user assets seamlessly and on the user's terms without compromising interoperability. There will be no need to develop a separate mobile wallet or desktop client to enjoy the benefits of closed-loop experiences.

's SDKs & APIs have entered an open beta phase, addressing developers' needs for embedded accounts and programmable transaction experience. Check our 

 to give it a try or DM us to have a chat.

[Openfort](https://www.openfort.io/)'s SDKs & APIs have entered an open beta phase, addressing developers' needs for embedded accounts and programmable transaction experience. Check our [documentation](https://www.openfort.io/docs) to give it a try or DM us to have a chat.

Openfort Raises $3M Seed Round

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

What Problem Does Openfort Solve?

Openfort: Gaming Wallet-as-a-Service

Abstracted Infrastructure Layer

Programmable Transactions

Where We Are Today

Keep Reading

Technical Dive: Gas Sponsorship via Paymasters

Choosing the Right Wallet Infrastructure (2026 Guide)

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