In a new development for South Asia’s digital finance ambitions, Changpeng Zhao—founder and former CEO of Binance, widely known as CZ—has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC).
The announcement, confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Finance and first reported by Bloomberg on April 7, positions Pakistan as a serious contender in the global race toward blockchain and Web3 adoption.
The decision has reverberated across borders, especially in India, where many in the crypto space took to social media to express envy and concern. “What India could have done, Pakistan outsmarted us!” posted one user on X. Influencers and industry voices in India expressed frustration, with some urging policymakers to act before the nation falls too far behind in the Web3 revolution.
Strategic Vision for a Digital Future
CZ’s advisory role will see him work closely with Pakistan’s Finance Division, State Bank, and Securities and Exchange Commission to shape the country’s approach to regulation, infrastructure development, and mass adoption of blockchain technologies.
During a recent visit, he met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials to discuss how Pakistan can tap into its youthful, tech-savvy population to fuel innovation.
“Pakistan is a country of 240 million people, over 60% of whom are under 30. The potential here is limitless,” CZ remarked during his trip, emphasizing the country’s readiness to embrace a digital transformation.
Finance Minister and PCC Chairman Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb hailed the appointment as a “landmark moment,” stating that it sends a powerful message to the world: Pakistan is open for innovation and leadership in digital finance.
Laying the Groundwork for Blockchain Growth
Pakistan already ranks among the top crypto-adopting nations globally, according to Chainalysis, and processes an estimated $35 billion annually in remittances—much of it via stablecoins. With growing interest in decentralized finance, digital assets, and tokenization, CZ’s involvement is expected to bring clarity and momentum to the regulatory environment.
The PCC, under the leadership of Bilal Bin Saqib, aims to harness CZ’s experience in advising governments on crypto policy to build an inclusive, future-ready ecosystem. His input is expected to benefit not only regulators but also startups, developers, and investors eager to contribute to Pakistan’s blockchain evolution.
Regional Ripples and Global Implications
CZ’s move has sparked renewed interest in the region’s approach to digital finance. Just days before the announcement in Pakistan, he also joined hands with the Kyrgyz Republic to advance blockchain adoption—signaling his ongoing commitment to shaping financial innovation across emerging markets.
While India’s crypto community expresses mounting pressure for regulatory reform, Pakistan’s bold step may give it a first-mover advantage in South Asia’s blockchain race.
As global financial systems evolve, this strategic partnership could redefine how nations compete and collaborate in the era of Finance 3.0.
