In a major boost to Pakistan’s digital finance ambitions, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the billionaire founder of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been appointed as a strategic adviser to the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). The announcement came after high-level meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who chairs the PCC.
The landmark decision signals Pakistan’s intent to become a regional hub for blockchain and Web3 innovation. During Monday’s meeting—attended by the State Bank governor, SECP chairman, and federal secretaries for IT and Law—CZ pledged to guide Pakistan on crypto regulation, infrastructure, and mass adoption.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said Finance Minister Aurangzeb. “With CZ’s expertise, we’re positioning Pakistan as a leader in digital finance.” Bilal Bin Saqib, PCC’s CEO, added that CZ’s involvement would help transform the country’s $20 billion crypto economy, which already ranks among the top 10 globally for adoption.
CZ, who met separately with the PM and deputy PM, emphasized Pakistan’s untapped potential: “With 240 million people and a youth-dominated population, the opportunities are limitless.” His appointment follows a similar advisory role in Kyrgyzstan, where he recently signed an MoU to advance blockchain development.
The PCC, operating under the Finance Division, aims to mirror the crypto-friendly policies of Singapore and Dubai. Pakistan currently has over 20 million crypto users and processes $35 billion in annual remittances—a sector ripe for blockchain disruption. CZ’s advisory role is expected to accelerate regulatory clarity and attract global Web3 investments.
The move comes as Pakistan seeks to leverage its third-place ranking in Chainalysis’ Global Crypto Adoption Index. With CZ onboard, the government hopes to formalize crypto transactions while ensuring compliance with international standards.
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