Former Binance CEO CZ Joins Pakistan Crypto Council as Advisor

CZ Tapped as Strategic Advisor to Pakistan's Crypto Council

Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, has joined the newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council as a strategic advisor, according to local media reports. The Council, established in March 2025, is a regulatory body within Pakistan's government, tasked with guiding crypto adoption, education, regulation, and blockchain infrastructure in the country. CZ’s role will focus on advising government officials on crypto frameworks and blockchain use cases in the public sector.

“I officially and unofficially advise a few governments on their crypto regulatory frameworks and blockchain solutions,” CZ said via X on April 3.

“I don’t get involved in politics or anything else. Just crypto.”

Pakistan Goes All-In on Crypto After U.S. Pivot

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, has framed the country’s crypto momentum as a strategic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies.

"Trump is making crypto a national priority, and every country—including Pakistan—will have to follow suit or be left behind,” Saqib told Bloomberg TV.

Saqib emphasized Pakistan’s determination to:

• Establish regulatory clarity.

• Attract institutional adoption.

• Position Pakistan as a global hub for blockchain-powered finance.

• Draw international investment into the digital asset economy.

“Pakistan is done sitting on the sidelines,” Saqib said. “We want to be a leader.”

CZ’s Comeback Continues After Binance Exit

CZ stepped down as CEO of Binance in late 2023 after pleading guilty to violating the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act. He served a four-month prison sentence and paid a $50 million fine as part of a broader settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Despite stepping back from Binance’s top role, CZ has remained active in the global crypto ecosystem, now shifting toward advisory roles and regulatory guidance.

Binance Expands in the Region Amid Record Volume

Even without CZ at the helm, Binance continues to dominate global crypto markets:

• In February 2025, Binance processed $651.5 billion in trading volume, accounting for 36.8% of global spot market share.

• In March, Abu Dhabi-based tech firm MGX invested $2 billion into Binance, acquiring a minority stake in one of the exchange’s largest funding rounds ever.

Binance and CZ’s increased presence in South Asia and the Middle East reflects a broader trend of crypto expansion beyond Western markets.