Pakistan is stepping up its Web3 ambitions by appointing Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao as a strategic advisor to its newly formed Crypto Council. This achievement represents a significant step forward in the nation’s efforts to become a regional center for blockchain innovation and digital finance.
The appointment was confirmed during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, where CZ met with senior government officials, including Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, as well as representatives from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the State Bank.
According to the Finance Ministry, Zhao, who’s now running Giggle Academy, will support the Council’s efforts in developing crypto regulations, digital infrastructure, educational initiatives, and broader adoption frameworks.
Changpeng Zhao To Help Pakistan Modernize Financial Landscape
The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) was launched in March as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s financial system and attract foreign investment. PCC CEO Bilal Bin Saqib emphasized that Pakistan is “open for innovation” and committed to becoming the crypto capital of South Asia. This comes as foreign investment declined by over 40% in Q1 of 2025.
Zhao said in a statement:
Pakistan is home to 240 million people, with over 60% under the age of 30, it has the potential to become one of the most important Web3 economies in the world.
CZ’s appointment comes several months after being released from prison, in which he spent just four months. He has since re-emerged with strategic partnerships focused on global blockchain development. Most recently, he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyrgyz Republic to advise on similar initiatives
The timing of CZ’s involvement aligns with a critical period for Pakistan’s crypto ecosystem. According to Chainalysis, the country remains one of the top 10 countries for crypto adoption, particularly among retail users. A growing appetite for stablecoins, driven by currency volatility and remittance needs, has further fueled interest in blockchain solutions.
Whether this initiative results in meaningful reforms remains to be seen.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for information only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
