In just 50 days since its launch on March 14, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) has rapidly positioned the country as an emerging force in global crypto regulation and infrastructure.
Backed by government support, the council has moved with uncommon speed to secure international partnerships and develop regulatory frameworks, marking a sharp pivot in Pakistan’s approach to digital finance.
Among its key moves, the PCC appointed Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) as strategic advisor—making Pakistan the only country in the region to engage a figure of such influence in the crypto space. CZ brings experience in building crypto ecosystems and navigating global compliance challenges.
The council also signed a Letter of Intent with World Liberty Financial (WLF), a blockchain project reportedly backed by former US President Donald Trump. The deal, the first of its kind between a US-linked blockchain initiative and a Pakistani body, aims to expand the use of stablecoins, DeFi protocols, and cross-border blockchain systems.
PCC’s CEO, Bilal Bin Saqib, met Malaysia’s foreign minister in Kuala Lumpur to lay the foundation for a Pakistan-Malaysia Digital Finance Partnership focused on Shariah-compliant, FATF-aligned digital asset regulation.
The council is also in talks with global Bitcoin mining firms to establish AI data centres and mining farms in Pakistan, leveraging surplus electricity. In parallel, discussions are underway with tokenisation companies to bring real-world assets—such as land and commodities—on-chain.
PCC says it is close to finalising a risk-based regulatory framework covering AML, KYC, and innovation policy. The model is intended to outpace others in the Global South and has already attracted attention from major industry players, including TRON founder Justin Sun, who plans to visit Pakistan.
While India’s 30 per cent crypto tax has pushed trading volume offshore, Pakistan’s open, investor-friendly approach could help capture regional capital and developer talent—turning the country into a potential hub for blockchain growth.
Read next: Iranian FM Araghchi arrives in Islamabad amid India-Pakistan tensions
