According to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the former Binance boss, Pakistan is on track to become a world leader in cryptocurrency by 2030. Currently serving as a strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), CZ praised the nation’s rapid adoption and regulatory speed during a recent interview with Council CEO Bilal bin Saqib.
A conversation between Changpeng Zhao (@cz_binance), Founder of Binance and Chairman PVARA, @BilalBinSaqib on the future of crypto in Pakistan.
From Pakistan’s potential to tokenization and what comes next for the virtual asset economy.
Timestamps:
– Why Pakistan for Crypto?:… pic.twitter.com/ILGHOMBdWY
— Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (@PakistanVARA) December 30, 2025
CZ highlighted Pakistan’s “ability to move fast” as its competitive edge. He specifically credited the country’s leadership for recognising the massive demand for digital assets among its young, tech-savvy population.
Changpeng Zhao stated:
If we keep moving at this speed in five years, Pakistan will be the crypto leader, one of the crypto leaders in the world.
Pakistan Crypto Building a Bitcoin Reserve
Pakistan has not just talked about adoption… It has executed major infrastructure changes in 2025. The government successfully established the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) this year. Consequently, major exchanges like Binance and HTX received permission to operate within the country.
Furthermore, Pakistan is actively building a Bitcoin (BTC) reserve. The nation is also exploring real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation to boost liquidity and attract foreign investment.
The Power of Tokenised Stocks
CZ is particularly bullish on Pakistan’s move toward tokenising its stock market. He argues that this allows the global population to buy Pakistani tokens, representing direct investment into the country’s stocks.
Changpeng Zhao asked:
Which country doesn’t want the global population to buy their stocks?
He urged Pakistan to maintain its speed, noting that early adopters of tokenisation will reap the most benefits.
Blockchain Beats AI for Startups
For local entrepreneurs, Changpeng Zhao believes blockchain offers better opportunities than AI or traditional banking. He pointed out that AI requires massive resources, such as large data sets and expensive computing chips. Similarly, starting a bank involves high barriers to entry.
In contrast, Changpeng Zhao said:
The blockchain will never reject you.
It remains virtual and accessible. However, he admitted that to sustain this growth, Pakistan needs more education, incubators, and university programs to foster long-term innovation.
