Pakistan Appoints Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao as Crypto Advisor Amid Growing Adoption Push
In a significant move signaling Pakistan’s ambitions in the digital asset space, former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has been appointed as a strategic advisor to the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC).
The appointment, confirmed by Pakistan’s Finance Ministry on April 7, positions the country to potentially become a regional leader in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency adoption. Zhao will advise the regulatory body on cryptocurrency regulation, infrastructure development, education, and digital asset adoption.
Strategic Move for Pakistan’s Digital Economy
The appointment is “a pivotal moment” according to Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who also said “a clear signal that Pakistan welcomes innovation and is serious about building a future-ready digital economy.”
Established in March 2025, the Pakistan Crypto Council works under the Finance Division and is charged with developing digital asset policies and a framework for responsible blockchain innovation. Senior executives from important financial and regulatory organizations comprise the council, which is headed by the finance minister.
Emphasizing the need of Zhao’s engagement, Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, said, “Pakistan is opening its doors to the future of finance. Apart from a great recommendation, having CZ on board stimulates long-term digital development.”
Growing Crypto Presence in Pakistan
Rising among the top 10 countries worldwide for crypto use, Pakistan has become a possibly major center for acceptance of cryptocurrencies. With an estimated 20 million users and yearly transaction volumes over $20 billion, the nation has shown great retail adoption and centralized service transactions.
A 2023 KuCoin poll indicates that 33% of local crypto investors hedge against the devaluation of the Pakistani rupee by means of digital assets According to a more recent Bitget poll, 46% of South Asian respondents use digital assets because of their speed and ease of use.
With over half of its 240 million inhabitants under the age of 30—a point Zhao underlined during his visit—the nation’s demographics offer a strong argument for digital asset growth.
CZ’s New Chapter After Binance
Zhao’s appointment marks his return into the Web3 scene after leaving Binance. After confessing to charges connected to breaching US money laundering rules, for which he served a four-month prison sentence, he left as CEO of the bitcoin exchange in November 2023.
Zhao has been funding initiatives including Giggle Academy, a nonprofit platform offering digital education to students, and YZi Labs, a startup business concentrated on blockchain technology since then.
Emphasizing that he would not participate in political affairs, Zhao stressed on social media that his job with Pakistan is to offer recommendations on crypto regulation and blockchain solutions. In the realm of cryptocurrencies, he has said Pakistan has “limitless potential.”
Financial Implications
The action comes at a crucial juncture for Pakistan’s economy, which saw a 45% decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) in February 2025 from last year. The government wants to reverse this trend by establishing a favorable regulatory environment for blockchain and cryptocurrencies, therefore drawing in foreign investors.
Declaring, “Pakistan is done sitting on the sidelines,” Saqib has before said that Pakistan intends to create a clear legal framework for digital assets. Pakistan is a low-cost high-growth market with a Web3 native workforce ready to build, hence we aim to draw foreign investment.”
Officials see great chances to use blockchain technology into cross-border financial systems using remittances to Pakistan approaching $35 billion yearly, hence perhaps changing the way the Pakistani diaspora sends money home.
Economic Implications of CZ’s Appointment for Pakistan
Pakistan’s acceptance of crypto knowledge fits the growing worldwide attention on digital asset control. By selecting Zhao, Pakistan positions itself as a center for digital banking innovation by aligning with Singapore, the UAE, and most lately Kyrgyzstan.
The Pakistan Crypto Council will concentrate on building a legislative framework that strikes a balance between innovation and investor protection as Zhao starts his advisory role, so possibly changing Pakistan’s place in the world digital economy.
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