ISLAMABAD: In a major milestone for Pakistan’s growing digital economy, World Liberty Financial (WLF), a leading decentralized finance (DeFi) platform backed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, has signed a landmark Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) to boost blockchain innovation and adoption across the country.
The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting in Islamabad attended by a WLF delegation comprising Zachary Folkman, Chase Herro, and Zachary Witkoff — the son of prominent real estate developer and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. The delegation held extensive discussions with Pakistan’s top leadership, including the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Deputy Prime Minister, and key cabinet members from finance, information, and defence.
This collaboration marks a transformative step toward integrating Pakistan into the global decentralized finance ecosystem, with the country set to emerge as a leader in the Web3 space.
Government Pushes for Crypto Legalisation
The deal comes at a time when Pakistan’s government is preparing to announce comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation, aimed at establishing a transparent regulatory framework. Officials say the upcoming policies will provide legal certainty and attract international blockchain investments, reinforcing Pakistan’s position as one of the fastest-growing crypto markets in the world.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Pakistan’s youth and technology sector are our greatest assets. Through partnerships like this, we are opening new doors for investment, innovation, and global leadership in the blockchain economy.”
Binance Founder CZ Joins as Strategic Advisor
In another major development, the founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has been appointed as a strategic advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council. His involvement is expected to provide valuable insights on global regulatory trends and help scale blockchain infrastructure in Pakistan.
Focus on DeFi, Stablecoins, and Real-World Tokenization
The scope of the WLF–PCC agreement includes launching regulatory sandboxes for testing blockchain financial products, expanding the use of stablecoins for remittances and cross-border trade, and exploring the tokenization of real-world assets such as real estate and commodities.
Additionally, the partnership will offer strategic advisory support on blockchain regulation and digital asset management, ensuring responsible development of DeFi protocols within the country.
“This collaboration is more than just a partnership,” said Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council. “It’s a strategic move to empower our young population and integrate Pakistan into the future of global finance.”
A Thriving Crypto Market
With over 25 million active crypto users and an estimated $300 billion in annual crypto transactions, Pakistan is one of the world’s top countries in crypto adoption. More than 64% of its population is under the age of 30, making it an ideal hub for digital innovation. Rising mobile penetration, a vibrant freelance economy, and strong government backing have set the stage for a blockchain revolution.
WLF’s leadership echoed this optimism, praising Pakistan’s vision and youth energy: “Pakistan’s energy, vision, and talent make it one of the most exciting places in the world to build the future of decentralized finance.”
