Pakistan taps Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao to steer its journey into digital finance innovation
Binance co-founder Changpeng CZ Zhao has been named strategic adviser to the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council; a move government officials described as a major step in the countrys push toward becoming a global leader in blockchain innovation.
Zhaos appointment was announced on April 7 following a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The session brought together senior officials from Pakistans financial and regulatory agencies, including the heads of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the federal ministries for law and information technology.
Aurangzeb said:
This marks a pivotal moment for Pakistan. Were sending a clear signal that Pakistan welcomes innovation and is serious about building a future-ready digital economy.
As a strategic adviser, Zhao will offer guidance on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, education, and digital asset adoption. He is expected to work closely with both government agencies and the private sector to support the growth of a secure and inclusive crypto ecosystem.
The councils chief executive, Bilal Bin Saqib, said Zhaos involvement would help position Pakistan as a forward-looking player in the web3 economy.
Saqib said:
Pakistan is opening its doors to the future of finance. Having CZ on board is not only a major endorsement but also a catalyst for long-term digital growth.
According to a statement from the Finance Division, Zhao also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during his visit.
Zhao highlighted Pakistans demographic advantage, pointing to its population of over 240 million more than half of whom are under the age of 30 as a sign of the countrys untapped digital potential.
The Pakistan Crypto Council, formed under the Finance Division in March, is led by the finance minister and includes top officials from key regulatory and legal institutions. The council is tasked with advancing digital asset policies and laying the groundwork for responsible blockchain innovation.
Pakistan currently ranks among the top 10 countries in global crypto adoption, with an estimated 20 million users and annual crypto transaction volumes exceeding $20 billion. With remittances reaching $35 billion each year, officials see strong opportunities to integrate blockchain technology into cross-border financial systems.
Saqib, who has previously represented Pakistan at global blockchain forums, including NFT NYC and ETH Barcelona, was appointed last month as the finance ministers lead crypto adviser.
Zhaos role adds international weight to the councils mission, placing Pakistan in line with jurisdictions such as Singapore and the UAE that are positioning themselves as global hubs for digital finance.
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Text source: CryptoSlate
