Crypto cashback app StormX has secured $9 million in a funding round led by Optimista Capital to support its plans for a debit card and to expand across the U.S. later this year.

The funding will also be used to make the app interface more user-friendly and make it easy for customers to sign up for the debit card, the firm said.StormX said the debit card will launch in the U.S later this year, and then in the rest of the world. The card will offer users in-store rewards in 15,000 locations in partnership with retail and food and beverage companies.In June, StormX announced the Portland Trail Blazers will feature StormX advertising patches on their jerseys under a sponsorship deal with the National Basketball Association team.The new funding will also be used to hire new employees and to increase athlete and e-sport marketing, the firm said. 

Read more: Portland Trail Blazers to Wear NBA’s First Crypto Ad Patch (Sorry, PayPal)