Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has joined Pakistan’s newly formed Crypto Council as a strategic advisor. The council, established in March 2025, aims to guide Pakistan’s push to attract foreign investment by focusing on digital asset regulations, infrastructure, education, and adoption. Zhao’s involvement follows the council’s first meeting on March 21. In a statement on social media, Zhao clarified that his role is to provide advice on crypto regulation and blockchain solutions but not to engage in political matters.
The formation of the Pakistan Crypto Council is part of a broader effort by the country to position itself as a leader in blockchain technology in South Asia. Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the council, has stated that Pakistan wants to create a favorable legal framework to attract international investors and ensure institutional adoption of blockchain-powered finance. This move is also a response to the broader global push for digital asset regulation, especially following the U.S. government’s increasing focus on crypto under President Trump.
Pakistan’s decision to ramp up its crypto efforts comes amid a downturn in foreign direct investment (FDI). In February 2025, the country saw a 45% drop in FDI compared to the previous year. This decline has raised concerns about the country’s ability to attract foreign capital, making the council’s work even more crucial. The council’s goal is to provide regulatory clarity and foster an environment conducive to crypto business growth, which will be key in reversing the investment slowdown.
Zhao has been reintegrating into the Web3 space, investing in projects such as YZi Labs, a venture firm focused on blockchain innovations. Additionally, he launched Giggle Academy, a nonprofit platform aimed at providing digital education to students from grades one to 12.
Zhao’s return to prominence in the crypto space comes as Binance continues to strengthen its position in the region. In March 2025, Binance secured $2 billion in funding from MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based technology firm. The funding deal marked one of Binance’s largest rounds and secured a minority stake for MGX in the exchange. Binance has also continued to lead the cryptocurrency spot market, handling $651.5 billion in trades in February 2025, which accounted for 36.8% of the global market.
As Zhao embarks on his advisory role in Pakistan, the country’s government remains focused on creating a regulatory framework that will allow it to keep pace with global trends in digital asset adoption.
