Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, former CEO of Binance, has joined Pakistan’s newly formed Crypto Council as a strategic advisor. Established in March 2025, the Council aims to promote Pakistan to attract foreign investment by focusing on digital asset regulation, infrastructure, education and adoption. Zhao’s involvement follows the council’s first meeting on March 21. In a statement on social media, Zhao made it clear that his role is to provide advice on crypto regulations and blockchain solutions, but he does not engage in political issues.
The establishment of Pakistan’s Cryptocourse is part of a broader effort by the country to establish itself as a leader in blockchain technology in South Asia. Council CEO Bilal Bin Saqib said he wants to create a favorable legal framework for Pakistan to attract international investors and ensure institutional adoption of blockchain-driven finances. The move is also a response to a broader global push for digital asset regulation, following the US government’s focus on crypto under President Trump.
Pakistan’s decision to strengthen its cryptographic efforts comes amid the recession of foreign direct investment (FDI). In February 2025, the country saw a 45% decrease in FDI compared to the previous year. This decline has sparked concerns about the country’s ability to attract foreign capital, making the council’s work even more important. The Council’s goal is to foster an environment that provides regulatory clarity and encourages growth in the crypto business. This is important in reverse investment slowdown.
Zhao is reintegrating into the Web3 space, investing in projects such as YZI Labs, a venture company focused on blockchain innovation. Additionally, he launched Giggle Academy, a non-profit platform aimed at providing digital education to students in first- to 12th grade.
Zhao’s return to excellence in the crypto space is as Binance continues to strengthen its position in the region. In March 2025, Binance secured $2 billion in funding from Abu Dhabi-based technology company MGX. The funding agreement marked one of Binance’s biggest rounds, securing a minority stake in MGX on the exchange. Binance also continues to lead the cryptocurrency spot market, processing $651.5 billion in trade in February 2025, accounting for 36.8% of the global market.
As Zhao embarks on an advisory role in Pakistan, the country’s government is focusing on creating a regulatory framework that will allow it to meet the global trends in digital assets adoption.