Co-founder of Binance Changpeng ‘CZ’ Zhao has been appointed as strategic adviser of the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council; A movement that government officials described as an important step in the urge of the country to become a global leader in blockchain innovation.
The appointment of Zhao was announced on 7 April after a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb.
The hearing brought high officials together from the financial and regulatory authorities of Pakistan, including the heads of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal MINISTRIES for Law and Information Technology.
Aurangzeb said:
“This marks a crucial moment for Pakistan. We are sending a clear signal that Pakistan welcomes innovation and is serious about building a future digital economy.”
As a strategic adviser, ZHAO will offer guidelines on legal frameworks, development of infrastructure, education and acceptance of digital assets. He is expected to work closely with both government agencies and the private sector to support the growth of a safe and inclusive crypto ecosystem.
The Chief Executive of the Council, Bilal bin Saqib, said that Zhao’s involvement would help Pakistan position as a future-oriented player in the web3 economy.
Saqib said:
“Pakistan opens his doors for the future of finance. Having CZ on board is not only a major approval, but also a catalyst for long -term digital growth.”
According to a statement from the financial division, Zhao also held individual meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during his visit.
Zhao emphasized the demographic benefit of Pakistan, pointing to the population of more than 240 million – of whom more than half is younger than 30 – as a sign of the untouched digital potential of the country.
The Pakistan Crypto Council, formed under the financial division in March, is led by the Minister of Finance and includes top officials of important regulatory and legal institutions. The Council is responsible for promoting digital activity policy and laying the foundation for responsible blockchain innovation.
Pakistan is currently one of the top 10 countries in global crypto acceptance, with an estimated 20 million users and annual crypto transaction volumes of more than $ 20 billion. With transfers that reach $ 35 billion every year, civil servants see strong opportunities to integrate blockchain technology into cross-border financial systems.
Saqib, who previously represented Pakistan on Global Blockchain forums, including NFT NYC and ETH Barcelona, was appointed last month as chief advisor of the Minister of Finance.
The role of Zhao adds international weight to the mission of the council and places Pakistan in accordance with jurisdictions such as Singapore and the VAE who position themselves as global Hubs for digital finances.
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