Pakistan names controversial Binance founder as crypto adviser

Anti-money laundering watchdog likely to scrutinize Zhao appointment, experts say

20250414 Changpeng Zhao, founder and former CEO of Binance

Zhao Changpeng, founder and former CEO of Binance, attends a conference in Paris in June 2022. © Reuters

ADNAN AAMIR

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's appointment of Zhao Changpeng, founder of Binance, as strategic adviser to its new crypto council has raised concerns, given that he was jailed in the U.S. last year over money laundering charges.

The China-born Canadian billionaire and founder of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange was appointed strategic adviser to the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) last week. Zhao stepped down as Binance CEO in 2023 and the company was subsequently fined $4.3 billion after it was found guilty of flouting U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.

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