Pakistan and Malaysia Explore Digital Finance Alliance

In a landmark move aimed at advancing regional cooperation in the digital economy, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan met with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), to discuss collaborative opportunities in blockchain, digital assets, and Shariah-compliant financial innovation.

The meeting centered around the proposed Pakistan-Malaysia Digital Finance Partnership, a forward-looking initiative focused on co-developing FATF-compliant, Shariah-aligned digital asset frameworks. The partnership aims to set a precedent for the broader Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), offering a values-based model for ethical innovation in financial technology.

“Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance and Pakistan’s momentum in crypto regulation form a natural alliance,” said Bilal Bin Saqib. “Together, we have a historic opportunity to set global standards for ethical innovation in digital finance — from halal stablecoins and tokenized sukuks to compliant regulatory sandboxes and youth empowerment.”

The Pakistan Crypto Council is spearheading efforts to craft a passportable regulatory framework tailored to emerging markets, designed to support innovation while remaining aligned with international compliance standards.

Key areas of cooperation identified during the meeting include regulatory coordination between financial authorities and joint initiatives in Web3 education and cross-border talent development.

This milestone engagement marks the beginning of a deeper technological and economic alliance between Pakistan and Malaysia, reflecting a shared ambition to shape the future of finance through ethical and strategic collaboration.

The meeting follows the recent announcement of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) joining the Pakistan Crypto Council as a Strategic Advisor — a development that further signals global confidence in Pakistan’s growing leadership within the digital asset ecosystem.