Pakistan appointed former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) as a strategic adviser to their newly-formed Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), signaling a clear intent to become a global leader in Web3 and crypto adoption. 

The move is to leverage Pakistan’s young population base and to bring up the nation as a regional powerhouse for digital finance.

CZ’s Advisory Role Outlined

As strategic adviser to the PCC, CZ is expected to provide key guidance on Pakistan’s crypto regulatory framework, national blockchain infrastructure, and related educational initiatives. His recognized expertise will likely be central in developing a competitive and compliant ecosystem meeting global standards. 

CZ recently met with Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who expressed optimism about using his involvement to accelerate the country’s Web3 readiness.

Leveraging Demographics and High Crypto Adoption

Pakistan presents vast potential for crypto growth, with over 240 million people and 60 percent of its population under age 30. The country already demonstrates significant blockchain interest, ranking among the top 10 nations in global crypto adoption metrics. 

Reports indicate Pakistan has roughly 20 million active crypto users generating over $20 billion in annual crypto transactions.

PCC’s Vision for a Digital Transformation

The new Pakistan Crypto Council operates under the government’s Finance Division. Its primary goal is guiding the country through a digital transformation by fostering an innovative yet compliant crypto market. 

Appointing a globally known figure like CZ underscores Pakistan’s commitment to this technological advancement.

Economic Benefits and Financial Inclusion Eyed

Pakistan’s deeper integration into the crypto sector could bring substantial economic benefits. With $35 billion received in annual remittances, wider crypto adoption offers potential pathways to enhance financial inclusivity. 

This strategic push, guided partly by CZ, aims to position Pakistan as a key hub for digital finance in South Asia. This advisory role is one of several CZ is pursuing after leaving Binance.