Zeebu Founders Talk Real Yield, Liquidity, and the Future of Decentralized Payments

In a recent Podcast, Raj, Raghav, and Keshav, discuss how Zeebu is revolutionizing the industry by slashing transaction times from weeks to minutes, significantly reducing costs for telecom giants, and processing over $5 billion in settlements.

They also discussed the groundbreaking features of the Zeebu Protocol, including on-demand liquidity provisioning, a decentralized governance structure with elected councils, and the crucial role of validator nodes.

Learn about Zeebu’s journey right from the time when it was just an idea to now when it has crossed $5B in settlements

This interview has been lightly edited by clarity.

Q: What is Zeebu? What do you guys do?

Raj Brahmbhatt: I’ll be straightforward and to the point.

Today, when you try to send money internationally from an emerging market, it's a slow and costly process. Traditional methods can take anywhere from 3 to 16 days, and in some extreme cases, even a month. The fees are often high, and there's always the risk of transactions being returned due to errors or complexities.

To make matters worse, emerging markets often face forced currency conversions at unfavorable rates and higher banking charges. This adds to the operational burden on finance teams within organizations and institutions.

At Zeebu, we recognized this pain point and developed a solution to revolutionize cross-border settlements for telecommunications companies. Our cross-border settlement system enables these companies to settle transactions of almost any value within 10 minutes, to any country, and with any counterparty. They can also instantly withdraw funds.

Since July 2023, we've empowered 100+ wholesale voice and SMS institutional telecom clients to process over $5 billion in transactions using our platform.

Q: That’s awesome! You've been quietly building this for a year, laying the groundwork to ensure a seamless launch.

It would be great if you could tell us what you were doing in the background while you were gearing up to launch Zeebu.

Raj: We strategically targeted a specific demographic that could immediately benefit from our solution. The Web3 world wasn't ready yet; they lacked the necessary infrastructure to interact with our technology. So, we prioritized building real value and establishing a strong foundation before expanding into the Web3 space.

We focused on the telecommunications sector's wholesale voice, SMS, and data industry. This niche market, though smaller, presented a significant opportunity with minimal competition. By targeting these wholesale carriers and providers, we were able to address a global problem and offer a scalable solution.

Unlike many companies that aim to capture vast markets, we adopted a focused approach. We identified a specific need within the industry and developed a solution to fulfill it. This targeted strategy has allowed us to quickly gain traction and establish strong relationships with key players in the market.

Q:  Can you elaborate on how Zeebu is revolutionizing cross-border payments in the telecommunications industry?

Specifically, how does your platform reduce the settlement time from 16 days to a few minutes, and how does this benefit companies by eliminating the need for additional financing to cover delays?

Raj: At Zeebu, we’ve identified three critical pain points of the telecom industry that we’re solving for our clients:

1. Business Development Hurdles:Over the years, telecom margins have shrunk dramatically—from an average of 35% in the early 2000s to just 5-6% today. This isn’t due to market decline; in fact, the CAGR remains stable at 3%. The root cause lies in lower barriers to entry, leading to market saturation and cut-throat competition. This saturation compounds business development issues, particularly in managing relationships with counterparties.‍
2. Pre-Funding and Payment Delays:The industry predominantly operates on a pre-funding basis, where payments must be made in advance to trade voice, SMS, or data traffic. If payments aren’t timely, counterparties reallocate routes to others who can pay promptly. This creates a significant challenge for businesses reliant on steady cash flow, as delayed payments hinder operations and disrupt partnerships.‍
3. High Transaction Costs and Clunky Processes:With margins already razor-thin, operators can’t afford excessive costs like high currency conversion fees or banking charges. Even when they accept delays or fees, it impacts their counterparties, who may need immediate cash to meet operational needs. This forces them to factor their invoices, incurring interest payments that further eat into their margins.‍

Zeebu is addressing these core issues with a streamlined, blockchain-based solution. By improving cash flow, reducing transaction costs, and eliminating inefficiencies, we’re empowering telecom businesses to thrive.

And the results speak volumes. Zeebu has already processed over $5 billion in settlement volume—a number growing by the minute. While we speak, millions more are being added to this tally, revolutionizing the way telecom transactions are handled.

Q: Tell us your upcoming plans and how do you want people to get involved?

Keshav: In just one year, Zeebu has onboarded over 100 enterprise clients and processed over billions in invoice settlements through more than 50,000 invoices. This significant growth demonstrates the strong market demand for our solution.

Our initial focus was on building a sustainable revenue model, which we've successfully achieved. Now, we're expanding our ecosystem to include more participants. Additionally, we've garnered over 500,000 followers across various social media platforms, including Twitter and Telegram, showcasing our growing social presence. We're excited about the many milestones we'll achieve in the future.

Q: What is Zeebu’s vision?

Raj: Our vision from the start was to leverage blockchain technology and Web3 principles to create a user-friendly solution for traditional Web2 institutions. By building on existing Web3 infrastructure, we've developed a layer of abstraction that simplifies the complex nature of blockchain technology. This innovative approach has enabled us to empower businesses to adopt Web3 solutions seamlessly.

Moreover, our long-term vision extends beyond the $120 billion telecommunications market. We aim to unlock the potential of the global economy, empowering the next billion users. To achieve this, we're launching the Zeebu Protocol, a proof-of-stake layer designed to increase liquidity within our ecosystem and facilitate the seamless integration of Web2 and Web3. By bridging these two worlds, we're creating an inclusive system that empowers individuals and businesses alike.

Q: What is Zeebu doing on the marketing front?

Raghav: We've built a strong and dedicated community of over 500,000 followers across various social media platforms. Our active engagement on platforms like Twitter and Telegram demonstrates the significant interest and excitement surrounding our project. This traction is a direct result of our focus on real-world use cases and our commitment to thought leadership.

We have several exciting initiatives planned for the future, including a major airdrop campaign and collaborations with top-tier KOLs. Our goal is to continue driving innovation and shaping the future of Web3. We're dedicated to creating high-quality content and fostering meaningful discussions within the community.

Q: Please share in detail what the ZBU Protocol is about and delve deeper into the benefits for users who will be part of this. Please elaborate on what this experience will look like as you scale the operation.

Raj: Sure. Integrating Web 2 with Web 3 requires more than just technology—it demands the collaboration of multiple stakeholders to create an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem. One critical shift that Web 3 is experiencing, and something Zeebu has embraced, is the consumptive use of digital assets and blockchain technology.

The narrative around digital assets is evolving beyond speculative buying and selling. People are no longer just acquiring Bitcoin at $30,000 to sell at $60,000.

Instead, they are increasingly using cryptocurrencies—like Bitcoin, the Zeebu token, and others—for specific services and real-world applications. However, this evolution goes beyond the capabilities of cryptographers, engineers, or product managers alone.

We are now witnessing a convergence where web3 advocates are stepping in to build practical services and solutions around blockchain and digital assets.

At Zeebu, we recognize this shift and understand that it takes diverse expertise to enable and enhance these services. To that end, we’ve developed a collaborative model with three key participant roles:

1. On-Demand Liquidity Providers (OLPs)

Drawing inspiration from traditional financial markets, where institutions often manage retail money, the OLP model ensures that liquidity is managed effectively and securely. In traditional markets, regulations like Reg D and Reg S exist to protect individuals who may not have the expertise to navigate complex industries.

Similarly, in Zeebu’s ecosystem, liquidity providers contribute to a liquidity provisioning pool, while trusted institutions and market makers manage these funds to support payments and other initiatives on the Zeebu Protocol.

2. Proof-of-Stake Layer

Zeebu is building its own proof-of-stake infrastructure, empowering individuals to actively participate in the ecosystem. Users can stake Zeebu tokens, operate nodes, upload invoices, and manage on-chain agreements. This layer also enables participants to vote and allocate resources for the growth and governance of the Zeebu ecosystem.

3. Delegators

Delegators play a crucial role by entrusting their tokens to validators or other participants who manage the operational aspects of the ecosystem. This model ensures inclusivity, enabling broader participation without requiring deep technical expertise.

By combining the strengths of institutions, individual participants, and governance mechanisms, Zeebu is fostering a comprehensive ecosystem that bridges the gap between Web 2 and Web 3. The result is a robust, decentralized infrastructure designed to drive real-world adoption and innovation.

Q: Please shed light on Zeebu’s governance model.

Keshav Pandya: Before I give you an idea about Zeebu’s governance model. I’d like to give you a brief idea on what we’re doing while building the ZBU Protocol.

Over the past year, our focus has been on creating real business value through blockchain-based solutions. Today, these solutions are no longer just concepts—they are functioning systems with tangible consumption. Based on existing commitments from partner businesses, we are set to process $14 billion in settlements over the next 12 months, with provisions already secured.

Currently, we handle daily settlements equivalent to $200,000, but the demand for higher limits is rapidly increasing. Enterprises find our solution highly efficient, addressing critical pain points in their operations. As new businesses come onboard, we’re scaling our infrastructure to meet this significant demand while staying true to blockchain's philosophy of decentralization and democratization.

While building Zeebu, we had two paths to follow for its mass adoption - Concept-First Approach: Build a community around an idea, then develop the solution.

-Solution-First Approach: Create a functional product, prove its traction, and invite contributors to refine and scale it.

At Zeebu, we chose the second path. By prioritizing real-world problem-solving, we’ve built a proven solution with genuine adoption before opening it up to broader participation. This ensures that collective energy is directed toward solving actual, existing problems.

We also faced the challenge of enterprise adoption. While enterprises recognize the potential of blockchain in payments, tokenization, and operations, the complexity of adoption has historically deterred them. We worked relentlessly to simplify this transition, ensuring our solution was not only technically sound but also practical and accessible for businesses.

To scale and sustain our growth, Zeebu is adopting a governance model inspired by real-world democratic systems. Similar to how nations elect capable leaders to manage specialized areas, Zeebu’s ecosystem will be governed by elected councils focused on specific domains.

Key Components of Zeebu's Governance Model

1. Node Runners:‍

• Limited to 300 participants initially.
• Function as on-chain clearing houses, validating and settling transactions.
• They will help achieve the required 300 TPS for processing $14 billion in transaction volume, ensuring high uptime and efficient transaction settlements.

1. Delegated Proof-of-Stake:‍

• Unlike traditional blockchains, Zeebu operates as a protocol.
• Validators ensure smooth transaction settlements while contributing to protocol governance.

1. On-Demand Liquidity Providers (OLPs):‍

• Provide the capital required for settlements.
• Validators optimize capital utilization for maximum efficiency.

1. Specialized Councils:‍

• Zeebu will establish councils focused on specific areas, such as securities, marketing, finance, legal, and economics.
• These councils will be composed of industry experts, elected based on their skillsets and contributions to the ecosystem.

In the next three months, Zeebu will engage with industry stalwarts to refine the council structure.

Initially, we envision nine councils, but this will evolve based on industry feedback to ensure optimal efficiency and inclusivity. The ultimate goal is to transition Zeebu into a completely independent, decentralized organization that lowers barriers to adoption and accelerates innovation.

Moreover, Zeebu is committed to open-source principles and aims to empower its community. Over the next three months, we’re inviting everyone to participate in several ways:

• Become a Contributor: Individuals can contribute to the project and raise awareness about Zeebu.
• Join the Governance Waitlist: This allows early involvement in the governance process.

After three months, the top 300 participants based on referral points will become validator node runners. These node runners will then elect qualified professionals to lead various councils focused on specific areas (e.g., finance, legal, marketing).

This is the initial framework for Zeebu's governance structure, subject to further refinement through discussions with industry experts.

Raj: If there’s one key takeaway as we wrap up, it’s this: join the ZBU Protocol Airdrop. This is your entry point into the journey we’ve built for the ZBU Protocol.

In Web3, many companies remain in stealth mode for extended periods, only to unveil their projects with a flood of complex content, leaving users overwhelmed.

At Zeebu, we’ve chosen a different path. We’ve already built a thriving business, and now we’re creating the backbone for it: the ZBU Liquidity Protocol.

We’re committed to ensuring that participants are not just enthusiasts at the end of our journey but active contributors throughout. That’s why we launched the waitlist. By signing up, users will:

• Engage with interactive quests.
• Explore educational content to gain a deeper understanding of Zeebu.
• Stay involved as we roll out new initiatives, onboard governance members, and activate nodes.

Telecom is just the beginning. We live by the motto” Telecom today; rest of the world tomorrow”. In the coming months, you’ll see the groundwork for initiatives that transcend beyond telecom, addressing broader industries and challenges.

By joining the waitlist, you’re becoming part of an evolving ecosystem that’s shaping the future of blockchain and decentralized finance. The journey is just starting, and there’s much more to accomplish together.

Q: Please speak about your airdrop initiative

Keshav: At Zeebu, while there’s already sufficient supply in the ecosystem, driving more transactions requires bringing even more supply into the fold. To achieve this, 250 million ZBU tokens have been reserved for a series of airdrops, as outlined in our tokenomics.

The airdrop process is tied to our protocol waitlist at Zeebu.fi. Here’s how you can participate:

1. Interactive Tasks and Quests‍

• Engage in various initiatives and quests on the platform.
• Earn ZIP points as you complete tasks.

1. Earning ZIP Points‍

• The more points you accumulate, the larger your share in the airdrop pool.
• Leaderboards will track participation, with referral points boosting your ZIP score.
• Daily engagement, such as attending educational sessions, watching videos, and joining Twitter Spaces, earns additional points.

1. Rewards Distribution‍

• Once the top contributors are identified, they’ll be invited to set up validator nodes and participate in building the on-chain clearing house.
• Afterward, 300 initial node operators will be established. Retail participants can then delegate their ZBU tokens to master nodes, selecting from the top 25 based on performance.

What sets Zeebu apart is its commitment to real yield generation. Here’s how:

• Every transaction within the Zeebu ecosystem incurs a 2% fee.
• From this fee, 1.4% is distributed as a protocol reward, ensuring sustainable returns.
• Unlike inflationary models, the yield is backed by real business revenue.

Rewards will be distributed in stablecoins (USDC), not ZBU tokens. This ensures the integrity and value of ZBU, which remains central to settlement processes within the ecosystem.

Now, why should anyone join the waitlist?

The waitlist isn’t just an entry point—it’s your opportunity to actively shape and benefit from Zeebu’s ecosystem. By engaging with our educational content, participating in quests, and contributing to governance, you’ll be part of a sustainable, real-yield protocol that rewards participants in a meaningful way.

Join us today and become part of a journey that’s redefining DeFi space for the future!

Q: What problems are you trying to solve with the ZBU protocol?

Raj:   Let’s distill the essence of the ZBU Protocol into three major challenges we aim to address:

1. Broken Governance

The promise of decentralization and sustainability, envisioned by pioneers like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is often undermined by flawed governance structures.

• The Problem: Many governance systems rely on token holders to vote on critical decisions. However:
• Most token holders are disengaged, lacking clarity on the purpose and end goals.
• Proposals often result in group thinking: the team markets an idea, creates biased narratives, and incentivizes participation, leading to centralized decision-making disguised as decentralization.
• Zeebu’s Solution: We’re committed to building a truly decentralized and transparent governance model that aligns all stakeholders with a shared purpose, fostering genuine participation and accountability.

2. Liquidity Imbalance

Liquidity flows in Web3 are significantly lower than they should be, leading to an off-balance market.

• The Problem:
• Many projects mint yield using native tokens to incentivize activity. This practice inflates token supply without real value backing, mirroring economic challenges like inflation but amplified in the digital asset space.
• Speculation often overshadows utility, leaving ecosystems vulnerable to instability.
• Zeebu’s Solution: Our liquidity protocol is grounded in real-world utility and transactions. Businesses use ZBU tokens for their inherent value, not for speculative gains. By driving adoption through practical use cases, we maintain a stable and sustainable ecosystem where liquidity is naturally aligned with real-world demand.

3. Sustainable, Founder-Independent Ecosystem

True decentralization demands an ecosystem that thrives beyond its founding team.

• The Problem: Many projects are heavily reliant on their founders, limiting long-term scalability and sustainability.
• Zeebu’s Vision:
• We aim to create a system where Zeebu’s identity is synonymous with its community, governance council members, and token holders—not just the founding team.
• Zeebu is not just solving problems but maximizing the convergence of real-world assets and Web3 utility. This initiative must thrive independently for decades, ensuring its leadership evolves while its mission remains intact.

Zeebu is at a critical inflection point where real-world utility meets the transformative potential of Web3. We take this responsibility seriously, ensuring that our work is sustainable, impactful, and forward-looking. Even 30, 40, or 50 years from now, Zeebu will stand as a testament to what decentralized governance and real-world utility can achieve—without dependency on its current leadership.

This is the foundation of the Zeebu Protocol: a governance model, liquidity ecosystem, and sustainable vision built for the future.

Q: That's a fantastic vision! By addressing these fundamental issues, Zeebu is truly pioneering a new era in Web3. As you roll out new updates, more people will recognize the significance of Zeebu. Thank you so much for coming to the podcast.

Raj, Raghav and Keshav: Thank you and join the ZBU Protocol Airdrop.

Click here to listen to the full podcast.

To learn more about ZBU Protocol, click here and stay tuned to our social media channels and bookmark our blog for the latest updates.