In a major development for Pakistan’s digital economy, Binance founder and crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has been appointed strategic adviser to the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), according to a press release from the Finance Division on Monday.
The PCC, launched last month, aims to regulate and integrate blockchain and digital assets into Pakistan’s financial system, positioning the country as a key player in the global Web3 ecosystem.
The appointment of Zhao comes on the heels of a series of government-led initiatives to explore digital currency innovation. On February 25, following a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a foreign crypto delegation, the ministry floated the idea of a National Crypto Council. The move materialized quickly, with entrepreneur Bilal Bin Saqib appointed in March as the chief adviser to the finance minister on crypto affairs.
The announcement of Zhao’s advisory role was made during a high-level PCC meeting chaired by Minister Aurangzeb, bringing together key government stakeholders. Zhao also held separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
“This is a landmark moment for Pakistan,” Aurangzeb stated. “With Zhao onboard, we’re sending a strong signal: Pakistan is open for innovation. We’re moving rapidly toward becoming a regional powerhouse for Web3, digital finance, and blockchain-driven growth.”
PCC CEO Bilal Bin Saqib echoed the sentiment, calling it a step toward the “future of finance”.
“And who better to guide us than CZ — a pioneer who built the world’s largest crypto exchange and reshaped how billions view financial freedom,” Saqib said.
According to the press release, Zhao will advise on regulation, infrastructure, education, and adoption of crypto technologies in Pakistan. His guidance is expected to foster a compliant, inclusive, and globally competitive crypto ecosystem, working in tandem with both public and private sectors.
“Pakistan is a country of 240 million people, with over 60% under the age of 30,” Zhao remarked. “The potential here is limitless.”
The statement described the move as a “bold new era”, aligning Pakistan with global crypto-forward nations like Singapore, Dubai, and Switzerland, all of which have embraced blockchain as a pillar of future economic strategy.