Sam Thapaliya’s Path From Nepal to Silicon Valley Shapes the Growth of Zebec Network
Entrepreneur and investor Sam Thapaliya is continuing to gain attention in the global Web3 and fintech space through his work with Zebec Network, a blockchain-powered payment infrastructure company focused on real-time payroll and financial transactions.
Born in Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal, Thapaliya grew up during the civil war and was raised in a small farming household where he spent weekends working on the farm with his family. He later moved to California after high school to pursue studies in technology and programming at Menlo College, where he became increasingly involved in entrepreneurship and Silicon Valley’s startup ecosystem.
Before founding Zebec Protocol, Thapaliya co-founded ASMI, an AI and video analytics startup. In 2020, he was recognized as Menlo College’s Entrepreneur of the Year, an achievement that came shortly before the launch of Zebec in 2021.
Originally introduced as a continuous settlement protocol on the Solana blockchain, Zebec was created to explore new ways of handling payments through blockchain technology. The platform’s early concept focused on “money streaming,” allowing transactions to occur continuously and in real time rather than through delayed payment cycles.
“We’ve all heard of music streaming, but what about money streaming?” Thapaliya said while discussing the company’s vision. “How about employees getting salary in real-time, artists receiving royalties in real-time, and consumers paying for a video subscription in real-time?”
Since its launch, Zebec has expanded beyond payroll streaming into broader blockchain-based payment and treasury infrastructure. The company now works across payroll, payment systems, and Real World Asset-related financial applications aimed at both digital and traditional economies.
In discussing the company’s mission, Thapaliya has often connected his work to his upbringing in Nepal. In one interview, he reflected on not seeing a bank or computer until he was 13 years old and later helping develop financial technology products intended for global users.
“I never saw a bank or computer until I was 13 years old, and now I am helping to create a new generation of financial services products for the masses,” he said. “This is thrilling and humbling at the same time.”
According to industry reports, Zebec attracted approximately $35 million in investments during its early growth stage, gaining support from several investment firms and fintech-focused organizations as interest in blockchain-powered payment systems increased worldwide.
Thapaliya has also spoken openly about the pace of innovation in the Web3 industry, describing it as an environment driven by rapid execution, community collaboration, and product development. He encourages early-stage founders to focus on building strong communities alongside technology, arguing that community engagement often helps shape successful products over time.
As conversations surrounding blockchain adoption and digital finance continue evolving globally, Zebec remains among the companies exploring how decentralized infrastructure may influence the future of payroll, payments, and financial accessibility.
About Sam Thapaliya
Sam Thapaliya is a Nepal-born entrepreneur and investor best known as the founder of Zebec Protocol. Born on June 28, 1998, in Chitwan, Nepal, he later moved to California to study at Menlo College. He previously co-founded ASMI and is known for his work in blockchain-powered payroll and payment technology.
About Zebec Network
Zebec Network is a blockchain-powered financial infrastructure company founded in November 2021. Initially launched as a continuous settlement protocol on the Solana blockchain, the company develops payroll, payment, treasury management, and blockchain-based financial solutions for digital and traditional economies.
