ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move aimed at reshaping the country's digital financial future, the federal government has appointed Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) as a strategic adviser to the newly-formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). The announcement was made following CZ’s high-profile meeting with the PCC on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, was attended by key government stakeholders, including the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and federal secretaries from the Law and IT divisions.
During his visit to Islamabad, CZ also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. The Finance Division called Zhao’s appointment a “bold step towards a blockchain-driven future.”
“This is a landmark moment for Pakistan,” said Finance Minister Aurangzeb, who also serves as chairman of the PCC. “We are sending a clear message to the world: Pakistan is open for innovation. With CZ onboard, we are accelerating our vision to make Pakistan a regional powerhouse for Web3, digital finance, and blockchain-driven growth.”
PCC CEO Bilal Bin Saqib echoed similar sentiments, calling Zhao’s appointment a “defining moment.” He said, “Pakistan is opening its doors to the future of finance. And who better to guide us on this journey than CZ — a pioneer who built the world's largest crypto exchange and changed the way billions think about financial freedom.”
As strategic adviser, Zhao will provide high-level input on regulation, infrastructure, education, and adoption. He will collaborate with both government and private sector stakeholders to build a compliant and globally competitive crypto ecosystem in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is a country of 240 million people, over 60% of whom are under the age of 30. The potential here is limitless,” CZ said during the meeting.
The Pakistan Crypto Council, established under the Finance Division last month, aims to spearhead the country’s transition toward digital finance. Its membership includes the Finance Minister as Chairman, along with top officials from SBP, SECP, and the ministries of Law and IT.
Bilal Bin Saqib, a well-known global thought leader in blockchain, has been appointed chief adviser to the finance minister for the PCC. He has previously represented Pakistan at global platforms such as NFT NYC, the World Economic Forum, ETH Barcelona, and Token 2049.
Pakistan currently ranks among the top 10 globally in crypto adoption, with 20 million active users and over $20 billion in transactions. With $35 billion in annual remittances, the country is well-positioned to benefit from the mainstream adoption of digital currencies.
