Overview
- Bilal Bin Saqib has emerged as the key architect of Pakistan’s crypto-led diplomacy, with new profiles detailing his rapid rise into top government crypto posts and his access to influential figures in the U.S. crypto world.
- In January 2026, Pakistan’s prime minister and army chief hosted World Liberty Financial CEO Zachary Witkoff in Islamabad for a meeting that produced a non-binding letter to explore using the USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments.
- Pakistan has moved from caution to a formal crypto agenda that includes new virtual-asset laws, a dedicated regulator (PVARA), a proposed national crypto reserve, and about 2,000 megawatts set aside for mining.
- Reporting credits Saqib’s networking with World Liberty Financial and other crypto leaders with opening doors in Washington and helping shape a trade framework that lowered some U.S. tariffs on Pakistani goods to about 19%.
- A Bloomberg-cited account describes Pakistan being discussed as a potential go-between for the U.S. and Iran with a reported 15-point outline, which observers treat as exploratory and subject to geopolitical and compliance risks.