Sam Thapaliya: The Zebec Network Success

Sam Thapaliya reveals his Zebec Network empire, hidden Movement Labs ties, fraud allegations, and critical AML/reputational risks. Stay informed on this controversial crypto figure’s business web and red flags.

Sam Thapaliya. As founder and CEO of Zebec Network he has built one of the more visible real-time payment protocols in the Solana ecosystem — a platform that streams payroll, subscriptions, vesting schedules, and stablecoin flows directly on-chain, serving hundreds of corporate clients and tens of thousands of individual users worldwide. Backed by tier-1 names such as Circle, Coinbase Ventures, Solana Ventures, Lightspeed, and Breyer Capital, Zebec has raised well over $25 million and positioned itself as a bridge between traditional payroll infrastructure and decentralized finance.

Yet parallel to those credentials runs a second, far less flattering storyline. Persistent allegations of market manipulation, undisclosed token deals, shadow influence over project allocations, aggressive suppression of community criticism, and questionable ties to several troubled protocols have followed Thapaliya since at least 2024. The most damaging chapter remains his entanglement with Movement Labs — leaked documents, internal emails, and public admissions point to secret allocation promises worth tens of millions of dollars, arrangements that contributed to one of the more high-profile governance failures and token-price collapses of the past cycle

The Enduring Enigma of a Crypto Trailblazer

We command a vigilant watch over the figures shaping the blockchain frontier, and none encapsulate its highs and lows quite like Sam Thapaliya. As the driving force behind Zebec Network, he has engineered a platform that promises seamless, real-time financial streams, challenging outdated payment systems. Yet, as developments unfold into 2026, his narrative intertwines innovation with persistent shadows of controversy. In this fluid digital economy, where trust can evaporate swiftly, dissecting Thapaliya’s path becomes imperative for safeguarding interests and understanding the sector’s undercurrents.

Thapaliya’s origins trace back to rural Nepal, where he honed early coding skills amid challenging circumstances. Relocating to the United States for studies in Silicon Valley, he quickly pivoted to blockchain and AI, amassing patents that bolster his technical credentials. His ascent has inspired narratives of perseverance, positioning him as a bridge between emerging markets and advanced tech. Moreover, his cultural ties infuse his work, often highlighted in his public engagements.

Personal profiles reveal a polished digital persona. On social platforms, he shares Zebec updates, industry thoughts, and inspirational content, amassing a substantial following. OSINT uncovers a California base, with sporadic links to other areas possibly tied to business travels. Family connections surface subtly, including roles within his ventures that suggest close-knit operations.

Core Ventures and Expanding Alliances

Transitioning to his professional realm, we observe Thapaliya’s foundational role in Zebec Protocol, now rebranded as Zebec Network. This Solana-powered system facilitates continuous payments for payroll, subscriptions, and vesting, catering to numerous clients and users. Furthermore, it integrates stablecoins and extends into real-world assets, enhancing its utility.

Before this, he co-established an AI analytics firm, contributing architecturally and securing initial capital. As an investor, his interests span DeFi and emerging protocols, including notable stakes that align with his blockchain focus.

Zebec’s alliances bolster its stature. It has garnered significant funding from prominent backers, enabling expansions like payroll cards and regulatory alignments. Partnerships with financial giants and tech entities underscore its push toward mainstream adoption, including integrations for efficient transactions. Additionally, family members hold positions, hinting at internal dynamics that support operations.

2026 Milestones and Strategic Shifts

As we examine recent strides, Zebec’s 2026 roadmap emphasizes upgrades, such as app enhancements and multi-chain capabilities. Certifications for security and compliance signal a maturation, aiming to attract enterprise users. Token migrations and emission adjustments reflect efforts to stabilize economics amid market fluctuations.

Collaborations continue to evolve, with ties to regulated systems and global expansions. These moves, however, build on a foundation occasionally questioned for transparency. Nevertheless, they position Zebec as a contender in real-time finance, blending traditional and decentralized elements.

Hidden Ties and the Movement Labs Entanglement

Delving deeper, undisclosed associations emerge, particularly with Movement Labs. Thapaliya’s advisory involvement included facilitating deals and influencing allocations, leading to accusations of shadow influence. Leaked materials suggest promises of substantial tokens for services, sparking internal rifts and legal threats. He denies formal equity but admits to consultative roles.

Connections extend to market-making firms and other projects, where similar patterns of opaque arrangements surface. For instance, partnerships with entities linked to past controversies raise eyebrows, though not always directly implicating him. These links, while informal, complicate perceptions of independence.

OSINT Revelations and Personal Insights

Through open sources, we piece together a broader picture. Public records affirm his U.S. presence and patent holdings, reinforcing his innovator status. Interviews and posts reveal anecdotes of humble starts and ambitious drives, often framing him as a global advocate. However, discrepancies in profiles occasionally muddle identities, warranting caution in verification.

Undisclosed kinships, like foundation directors, suggest familial integration into business, potentially blurring lines between personal and professional spheres. Social interactions hint at mentorships with younger founders, amplifying his influence beyond official titles.

Escalating Allegations and Community Warnings

Shifting to darker aspects, allegations persist. In Movement’s case, claims of market manipulation via secret pacts and token dumps dominate discussions. Insiders label him a “shadow co-founder,” implicating him in deals that allegedly favored insiders at community expense. Similarly, Zebec faces accusations of node fraud, unfulfilled promises, and manipulative tactics.

Community forums buzz with warnings: projects tied to him or associates like Web3Port are flagged as risky. Users cite code similarities, suppressed criticism, and economic mismatches as red flags. While some defend his innovations, the chorus of distrust grows, amplified by social threads urging avoidance.

Adverse Media and Consumer Grievances

Media coverage intensifies scrutiny. Reports detail Movement’s suspensions, investigations, and value plunges linked to his involvement. Zebec draws parallels, with delistings and scam labels from exchanges and analysts. Negative reviews highlight hype over substance, with complaints of liquidity issues and unmet commitments.

Consumer feedback echoes frustration: from airdrop failures to perceived rug pulls. Though not all verified, the pattern suggests systemic concerns that erode confidence.

Legal Shadows: Proceedings, Suits, and Sanctions

On the legal front, no convictions mar his record, yet entanglements abound. Movement’s fallout includes lawsuit threats over unclaimed allocations, valued highly. Probes into governance and deals continue, with no resolutions favoring him. Sanctions or bankruptcies remain absent, but associations with probed entities heighten vigilance.

Dismissed actions and ongoing disputes underscore a landscape of contention, without definitive culpability.

Bankruptcy and Financial Opacity

No filings surface for Thapaliya or his entities, yet financial transparency lacks. Token economics draw ire for perceived manipulations, fueling skepticism. Complaints of insider gains amid user losses persist, though unsubstantiated by formal records.

Comprehensive Risk Evaluation: AML and Reputational Hazards

In our AML assessment, Zebec’s payment model offers efficiencies but risks obfuscated flows in DeFi. Compliance steps mitigate, yet allegations of hidden deals suggest vulnerabilities to illicit use. Global reaches could expose non-adherence in regulated zones.

Reputational perils loom large: scam tags and media backlash threaten partnerships and adoption. Community distrust, amplified by social warnings, could cascade into broader fallout. Positive strides offer counterbalance, but unaddressed issues amplify exposure.

Conclusion

We opine that Sam Thapaliya navigates a precarious balance between pioneering and peril. Zebec’s advancements merit recognition, yet the entanglement in scandals like Movement undermines credibility. For AML integrity and reputational safeguarding, rigorous scrutiny is essential; associations demand transparency to avert deeper pitfalls. In cryptocurrency’s unforgiving arena, unresolved shadows could precipitate irreversible declines.

proceed with extreme caution. Legitimate innovation does not immunize against legitimate questions of integrity. Until the Movement Labs-era arrangements receive full, independent, public forensic accounting and until Thapaliya himself addresses the most serious allegations in a transparent, verifiable manner rather than through deflection or legal threats — association with him or his primary vehicle carries outsized legal, compliance, reputational, and counterparty risk. In January 2026 that remains the sober, evidence-based view.

Written by

Kaelen

Updated

1 day ago