Emre Yumlu 
In a strategic step to strengthen its Web3 payment infrastructure, Zebec Network has announced the acquisition of identity and compliance platform Gatenox. With this move, the company aims to gain a stronger foothold in jurisdictions where regulatory oversight is becoming increasingly demanding.
By integrating Gatenox’s KYC, KYB, and AML capabilities directly into its ecosystem, Zebec plans to reduce its reliance on third-party compliance providers.
Compliance Becomes Core Infrastructure
Neal Padhye, who leads Zebec’s mergers and acquisitions, stated that regulatory compliance is no longer optional—it’s now an essential part of protocol infrastructure. With Gatenox’s tools, Zebec is positioning itself as a secure and scalable platform in the growing field of programmable finance.
Although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Zebec confirmed that the acquisition was settled through an all-cash transaction.
Preparing for MiCA and FCA Registration
One of Zebec’s key goals following this acquisition is to begin the compliance process with both the EU’s MiCA regulation and the UK’s FCA registration by 2025. While Gatenox is not yet registered with financial authorities, its team includes professionals with past experience at major institutions like UBS, AIG, and RBS.
The company’s founders previously launched BLIK, Eastern Europe’s largest mobile payments platform, as well as the blockchain analytics firm Coinfirm. Going forward, they will join Zebec to provide strategic guidance on regulatory matters.
Moving Away From Third-Party Dependencies
Zebec emphasized that this acquisition will enable them to gradually eliminate external compliance solutions. The company intends to transition away from current providers like Sumsub in favor of Gatenox’s proprietary infrastructure, which offers a competitive alternative in the market.
Not the First: Follows Science Card Acquisition
Earlier this year, Zebec also acquired Science Card, a platform tailored for students and researchers. The acquisition expanded the company’s offerings to include tools for managing campus expenses, research grants, and budgeting—demonstrating Zebec’s broader vision of decentralized financial innovation.
Backed by Industry Giants
Since its founding in 2021, Zebec Network has attracted over $35 million in funding from high-profile backers such as Circle, Coinbase, Solana Ventures, Breyer Capital, Republic, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The protocol’s native token is currently listed on major crypto exchanges including KuCoin, Bybit, OKX, and Crypto.com.
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