is the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council, which has appointed Binance co-founder Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao as a strategic adviser. This move is seen as a significant step in Pakistan’s efforts to become a leader in blockchain innovation. The announcement of Zhao’s appointment came after a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, which included senior officials from financial and regulatory agencies in Pakistan.
Aurangzeb stated that Zhao’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Pakistan, showing the country’s commitment to welcoming innovation and building a future-ready digital economy. As a strategic adviser, Zhao will provide guidance on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, education, and digital asset adoption in collaboration with government agencies and the private sector. The Pakistan Crypto Council’s CEO, Bilal Bin Saqib, believes that Zhao’s involvement will help position Pakistan as a forward-looking player in the web3 economy.
During his visit, Zhao met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, emphasizing Pakistan’s demographic advantage with a population of over 240 million, of which more than half are under the age of 30. This demographic presents untapped digital potential for the country. The Pakistan Crypto Council, formed in March under the Finance Division, is responsible for advancing digital asset policies and promoting responsible blockchain innovation with key regulatory and legal officials on board.
Pakistan currently ranks among the top 10 countries in global crypto adoption, with an estimated 20 million users and annual crypto transaction volumes surpassing $20 billion. The country also sees opportunities to integrate blockchain technology into cross-border financial systems, leveraging its $35 billion in annual remittances. Saqib, the finance minister’s lead crypto adviser, highlighted these opportunities and Pakistan’s participation in global blockchain events such as NFT NYC and ETH Barcelona as steps toward establishing the country as a digital finance hub.
Zhao’s appointment as a strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council adds international weight to the council’s mission, aligning Pakistan with jurisdictions like Singapore and the UAE that are positioning themselves as global hubs for digital finance. With Zhao’s expertise and guidance, Pakistan aims to further develop its crypto ecosystem and establish itself as a leading player in blockchain innovation. The country’s focus on regulatory clarity, infrastructure development, and education in the crypto space reflects its commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive digital economy for the future.
