Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, has officially joined Pakistan’s newly formed Crypto Council as a strategic advisor, marking his return to public crypto-facing roles amid the country’s growing embrace of digital asset infrastructure.
According to local reports, CZ will help shape the Council’s vision for crypto education, infrastructure, and adoption strategy, working alongside policymakers to accelerate Pakistan’s blockchain integration. The Pakistan Crypto Council, established in March 2025, functions as a regulatory think tank within the government to craft a nationwide crypto policy framework.
This is a landmark moment for Pakistan,” said Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Finance Minister of Pakistan and Chairman PCC.
“We are sending a clear message to the world: Pakistan is open for innovation. With CZ onboard, we are accelerating our vision to make Pakistan a regional powerhouse for Web3, digital finance, and blockchain-driven growth.”
The move coincides with a broader pivot in Pakistan’s economic outlook following the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to office—an administration that has vocally championed digital asset innovation. Bilal Bin Saqib, the CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, recently told Bloomberg that the country intends to seize the moment, building policy momentum off Trump’s pro-crypto stance and pledges to develop a U.S. crypto reserve.
Pakistan’s Crypto Advisory Council
Launched in mid-March, the PCC is designed to oversee the integration of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into Pakistan’s financial system. The council brings together high-ranking government figures—including the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Federal Law Secretary, and the Federal IT Secretary—forming a comprehensive body that blends financial oversight with legislative and technological leadership.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the council represents a significant step in embracing financial innovation while establishing guardrails to protect consumers and stabilize the system.
He further emphasized that the country’s goal is not just safe adoption, but to become a serious contender in the global race for digital financial leadership.
CZ’s Role and Expertise
Changpeng Zhao’s appointment to Pakistan’s Crypto Advisory Council marks a significant return to public crypto affairs following his high-profile legal settlement in the United States. The former Binance CEO stepped down from the exchange in late 2023 after pleading guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. As part of the settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, CZ paid a $50 million fine and served a four-month prison sentence.
Despite these legal hurdles, Zhao has been steadily rebuilding his profile in the global blockchain space, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia and the Middle East. His new role in Pakistan aligns with that broader regional pivot.
In a clear signal of Binance’s growing influence in the region, the company recently secured a $2 billion investment from MGX, a tech-focused investment firm based in Abu Dhabi. The funding round—one of Binance’s largest to date—saw MGX take a minority stake in the exchange, further solidifying ties between the crypto giant and stakeholders in the Middle East.
CZ’s appointment is expected to boost credibility for Pakistan’s initiative, especially as he brings years of experience building Binance into the world’s largest exchange before stepping down as part of the regulatory settlement. His advisory role could also attract more institutional interest and cross-border collaboration as Pakistan positions itself on the global digital asset stage.
Quick Facts:
- Changpeng Zhao, former Binance CEO, appointed as an advisor to Pakistan’s Crypto Advisory Council.
- The council aims to develop and implement cryptocurrency regulations in Pakistan.
- CZ’s experience is expected to guide Pakistan in integrating crypto into its financial system.
- This appointment aligns with global trends of involving industry leaders in national crypto policy development.
