Rahul Pagidipati returns as CEO of ZebPay
· Avinash Shekhar, former CEO, will launch his own Web3 startup, wherein ZebPay will be an investor · Rahul will focus on ZebPay’s growth strategy as well as day-to-day operations
New Delhi: ZebPay, India’s oldest and most trusted crypto asset exchange, announced today that Rahul Pagidipati has been back in charge as the CEO of ZebPay effective December 1, 2022. Rahul will spearhead ZebPay’s operations and work with the current leadership team to grow current and new lines of business.
Rahul Pagidipati first became CEO of ZebPay in January 2020, when he acquired majority ownership from the three co-founders. In June 2021, ZebPay announced that Rahul Pagidipati and Avinash Shekhar would share responsibilities as co-CEOs, with Avinash focusing on increasing ZebPay’s market share in India as well as growing the company’s revenue, while Rahul led international growth and strategy. In December, Avinash took over as the CEO, while Rahul continued to support and guide him as chairman, with the in-house title of Un-CEO. The new title was designed to complement and empower Avinash and reflected the company’s long-term goal of becoming more like a DAO (decentralized autonomous organisation).
Also joining ZebPay’s active leadership will be Dr. Devaiah Pagidipati, current board member and founder of NAADAM (National Association for Advancement of Dalits, Adivasis, and Minorities). A successful serial entrepreneur and investor, Dr. Pagidipati will guide a new ZebPay unit focused on service to governments and NGOs.
Rahul has been investing in blockchain and digital currencies since 2011 and strongly believes that blockchain technology has the potential to transform the world across numerous industries and public services. As CEO, he plans to expand ZebPay’s business with innovative products and services tailored to retail and institutional customers, as well as government and nonprofits. ZebPay will continue to focus on investor education and creating a seamless user experience.
The former CEO, Avinash Shekhar, will embark on his entrepreneurial journey with the launch of his own venture in the Web3 space.
On his appointment as CEO, ZebPay, Rahul Pagidipati said, “I’m excited to be back as CEO of ZebPay. I never stopped being involved at the strategic level, but this year my focus has been on growth and investment opportunities. As I step back into daily operations, we will build new products and services focused on the specific needs of our different customer groups, whether they be individuals, institutions, or government”.
“That includes the needs of regulators, because even as we innovate, we remember that ZebPay has a unique legacy of trust. Most Indian crypto investors started at ZebPay. We’ve been keeping customers’ funds safe since 2014 and we’ve worked with law enforcement on numerous cases. We’ll continue to set the standard for trust and transparency so that black swan events do not impact ZebPay and its customers”.
“Avinash has been a great partner in building ZebPay’s India operations and has contributed significantly in strengthening ZebPay’s position as one of the leading crypto exchanges in India. We wholeheartedly support Avinash’s aspirations to become an entrepreneur and will be a stakeholder in his new venture as we believe in his vision”.
Avinash Shekhar, former CEO at ZebPay said, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to lead ZebPay, a firm proud of its strong business and ethical values. Building ZebPay has been a wonderful and rewarding journey as I was able to closely witness India’s potential for the crypto and Web3 space. This, in fact, birthed the idea for my new venture. Rahul has always been my sounding board throughout my journey at ZebPay and has been nothing but supportive, when I expressed the desire to take the entrepreneurial route. I am confident that Rahul’s expertise and passion for the Web3 space will help ZebPay in reaching new heights”.
In addition to being the CEO of ZebPay, Rahul is also a Chief Investment Officer at Ayon Capital, where he guides research and strategy for Ayon’s blockchain investments, including ZebPay, Brave, and Ledger. Rahul has an JD/MBA from the Northwestern University School of Law and Kellogg School of Management.