CZ Binance CEO Joins Pakistan Crypto Council as Strategic Advisor
“This is a historic moment for Pakistan,” declared Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s Finance Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), as he announced the appointment of Changpeng Zhao (CZ) — the founder of Binance — as Strategic Advisor to the council. This decision represents a bold leap forward in the country’s quest to become a regional Web3 powerhouse.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Digital Frontier
The appointment was made public during a high-level meeting chaired by Senator Aurangzeb, emphasizing the government’s commitment to developing a secure, regulated, and innovative digital asset ecosystem.
“Pakistan is a country of 240 million people, of which more than 60% are under 30. The potential here is unlimited,” noted CZ.
Pakistan currently holds a top-10 global ranking in crypto adoption, with over 20 million active users and $20 billion+ in crypto transactions. According to the Global Crypto Adoption Index, the country was ranked third worldwide, highlighting its rapidly growing crypto-savvy population.
Saqib’s Leadership and Global Blockchain Advocacy
In parallel with CZ’s appointment, Saqib has been named Chief Adviser to the Finance Minister on Crypto Affairs. Having represented Pakistan at major global events like NFT NYC, Token2049, and the World Economic Forum, Saqib is seen as a vital figure in bridging the gap between global blockchain trends and national implementation.
Crypto and Remittances: A Strategic Synergy
With $35 billion in annual remittances, Pakistan stands to gain significantly from blockchain-driven financial solutions. The government’s crypto council aims to harness Web3 technologies to streamline cross-border transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and reduce transactional inefficiencies.
Moreover, South and Central Asia and Oceania currently represent the third-largest crypto investment region globally, accounting for over $750 billion in crypto inflows, based on data from Chainalysis. Market research firm IMARC Group projects the Southeast Asian crypto market to grow by 8.5% annually over the next eight years — trends Pakistan aims to align with.
