3 min read
After admitting to suffering asset losses in the recent war with Pakistan, an Indian policy expert has now acknowledged the continuing influential role of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). Speaking on Arnab Goswami’s show, the expert highlighted how Pakistan is flexing its tech muscles in the West and beyond by strategically embedding itself into Donald Trump’s growing cryptocurrency ventures.
What is Pakistan Crypto Council?
The Pakistan Crypto Council was established to oversee and regulate the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. Its primary mandates, outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToRs), include establishing a clear regulatory framework to facilitate the adoption of cryptocurrency in Pakistan, engaging with international cryptocurrency and blockchain organizations to adopt global best practices, encouraging responsible innovation by working with fintech startups, investors, and blockchain developers, and ensuring consumer protection through strong legal and compliance frameworks.
Formally constituted by the Government of Pakistan through a Finance Division notification (No. F. No. 3(13) DS-Banking/2025) dated March 1–4, 2025, the council is chaired by the Minister for Finance and Revenue. It also includes key representatives from major federal institutions such as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), and the Law and Justice Division.
Pakistan’s Strategic Rise in the Global Crypto Landscape
During the discussion, the Indian expert emphasized that while New Delhi is still grappling with the aftermath of the conflict, Islamabad has quietly expanded its international footprint through technology and finance. Referring to Trump’s new cryptocurrency initiative World Liberty Financial (WLF) the expert revealed that Zach Ritco, son of Trump ally Steve Witkoff, recently visited Pakistan. There, Ritco signed a deal with the Pakistan Crypto Council, a move that could facilitate multimillion-dollar crypto flows between the two sides.
The expert, who has extensively studied Trump’s strategies, warned against underestimating such developments. He pointed out that Pakistan’s engagement with WLF could lead to significant financial leverage, with transactions reportedly involving crypto exchanges worth tens of millions of dollars. Following his Pakistan visit, Ritco traveled to Dubai to join Eric Trump at the World Crypto Conference, signalling further strengthening of these networks.
At a time when India is seeking to recover and recalibrate after public admissions of battlefield losses, Pakistan’s strategic alignment with influential players in the West marks a critical new dimension in regional power dynamics. The expert concluded by stressing that while the traditional battlefield may have quieted, competition in the financial and technological arenas is intensifying, and Pakistan is making calculated moves to stay ahead.
🚨 India’s own expert just admitted it on Arnab’s show, “Pakistan is playing smart… using the @cryptocouncilpk as a diplomatic tool.”Looks like Pakistan’s Foreign Tech Policy is already winning battles—without jets. pic.twitter.com/nCzTnxaMEZ
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) May 12, 2025
