Pakistan is accelerating its push into digital finance and blockchain-based payments, signing a new agreement that could reshape how billions of dollars in remittances flow into the country each year.
Finance Ministry Signs Strategic MOU
Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an affiliate of World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance project linked to the family of U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement focuses on exploring stablecoin use for cross-border transactions, according to a statement from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (Pakistan VARA).
The regulator said the deal reflects “growing global interest in Pakistan as a key market for digital assets” as the country looks to modernize its financial infrastructure and reduce reliance on cash-based systems.
Today, World Liberty Financial signed an MoU with the Ministry of Finance to explore innovation in digital finance, particularly the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions, signalling growing global interest in Pakistan as a key market for digital assets. pic.twitter.com/rYzbfHYysd
— Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (@PakistanVARA) January 14, 2026
Today, World Liberty Financial signed an MoU with the Ministry of Finance to explore innovation in digital finance, particularly the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions, signalling growing global interest in Pakistan as a key market for digital assets. pic.twitter.com/rYzbfHYysd
— Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (@PakistanVARA) January 14, 2026
Remittances Drive the Blockchain Push
Remittances sit at the heart of Pakistan’s strategy. The country receives more than $36 billion annually from overseas workers, and officials believe blockchain-based payments could significantly cut costs and settlement times.
Pakistan VARA told Reuters that the country already counts around 40 million crypto users, positioning it as one of the largest digital asset markets globally. At the same time, the central bank is preparing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot and finalizing virtual asset legislation, all part of a coordinated push toward regulated digital payments.
USD1 Stablecoin Integration Takes Shape
The MOU was signed with SC Financial Technologies, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial registered in Delaware. Under the arrangement, SC Financial will work with Pakistan’s central bank to integrate World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin into a regulated payments framework.
The aim is for USD1 to operate alongside Pakistan’s forthcoming digital currency systems, rather than outside regulatory oversight. Officials see this as a way to blend innovation with compliance, avoiding the pitfalls of unregulated crypto adoption.
High-Profile Visit and Political Links
The announcement followed a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, co-founder and chief executive of World Liberty Financial and CEO of SC Financial Technologies. Witkoff is the son of Steve Witkoff, a U.S. special envoy and longtime associate of President Trump.
World Liberty Financial itself was launched in September 2024 by Trump’s three sons alongside the two sons of Steve Witkoff. Both Trump and the elder Witkoff are listed on the project’s website as “co-founder emeritus” with a footnote noting they were “removed upon taking office.” The company states that Trump and his family do not serve as directors, officers, or employees.
From Binance Deal to Stablecoin Ambitions
World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin has already featured in large international transactions, including a $2 billion equity purchase in Binance by Abu Dhabi state-backed investor MGX last May. Pakistan’s outreach to the project follows a broader diplomatic and lobbying push in Washington, aimed at attracting U.S. investment.
In April, Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of Pakistan VARA, became an adviser to World Liberty Financial shortly after Witkoff’s visit. Bin Saqib later signed a letter of intent enabling USD1 to be explored for trade and remittances.
Building a Crypto Hub-With Controversy
Bin Saqib also serves as special assistant to the prime minister on blockchain and crypto, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, and chief adviser to the finance minister. He has been central to Pakistan’s efforts to brand itself as a crypto hub, from allocating electricity for mining to courting global industry figures.
Pakistan has a track record of striking deals with crypto-linked firms. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao joined the Pakistan Crypto Council as an adviser in April 2025, months after completing a U.S. prison sentence for AML violations. In December 2025, Pakistan also signed an MOU with Binance to explore tokenizing up to $2 billion in sovereign assets.
As Pakistan deepens its crypto ties, the stablecoin experiment with World Liberty Financial could become a litmus test for how emerging economies integrate politically connected DeFi projects into national payment systems.
