Bilal Bin Saqib becomes Pakistan’s crypto bridge to Trump world

March 30, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan has turned to cryptocurrency diplomacy to strengthen its relationship with the United States, with 35-year-old crypto entrepreneur Bilal Bin Saqib emerging as a central figure in this transformation, according to Bloomberg.

At a high-profile gathering in Islamabad earlier this year, Pakistan’s top leadership including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir hosted Zachary Witkoff, CEO of World Liberty Financial, a platform co-founded by Donald Trump.

The event, centered around a non-binding and exploratory stablecoin agreement, featured a guest list that resembled a state-level visit, underlining the growing importance of crypto in diplomatic engagement.

Saqib, who stood alongside the country’s top leadership during the visit, described the engagement as a moment that helped “put Pakistan on the map.”

His role has been pivotal in what he calls “biplomacy” a crypto-driven approach to foreign relations aimed at building trust and opening new channels with Washington.

Plucked from relative obscurity in 2025, Saqib has quickly risen to become one of Pakistan’s most influential figures in digital policy.

He has held multiple key roles, including adviser to the finance minister on crypto, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, special assistant to the prime minister on blockchain, and chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.

He has also built ties with major global crypto and financial figures, including Changpeng Zhao of Binance, Cathie Wood, Michael Saylor, and Nayib Bukele.

However, his relationship with the Trump-linked World Liberty Financial has delivered the most significant diplomatic and commercial dividends.

Saqib previously served as an adviser to World Liberty Financial before stepping away upon entering government service. He has also been seen engaging with key figures in the Trump circle, including visits to Mar-a-Lago and interactions with senior US officials.

Pakistan’s crypto outreach has coincided with improving ties between the Trump camp and Pakistan’s military leadership. Such personal and business linkages have helped Islamabad gain influence in Washington at a time of shifting geopolitical priorities.

“Given how important personal connections are in the Trump White House’s policy process, Pakistan may well have bought itself some influence,” said Michael Kugelman, as reported by Bloomberg.

Pakistan has also positioned itself as a potential mediator between the US and Iran amid escalating regional tensions.

Reports indicate Islamabad has shared a 15-point proposal with Washington and may serve as a venue for future negotiations.

The renewed engagement has already produced key outcomes. The US reduced tariffs on Pakistani goods to 19%, lower than many regional peers, while also designating the Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist organization long a priority for Islamabad.

Parallel to diplomatic efforts, Pakistan has accelerated development of its crypto ecosystem. Authorities have introduced regulatory frameworks, proposed a national crypto reserve, and allocated around 2,000 megawatts of electricity roughly 5% of the national grid for crypto mining.

With around 40m users and an estimated $300bn in trading volume, Pakistan ranks among the fastest-growing crypto adoption markets globally.

Pakistan’s embrace of crypto marks a sharp reversal from its earlier cautious stance, when regulators cited fraud and money laundering risks.

High inflation, mounting debt, and reliance on the International Monetary Fund have pushed policymakers to explore alternative avenues for growth and investment.

Saqib’s role has been central to this pivot, focusing on execution and ecosystem building rather than trading. “I am a builder,” he said, emphasizing innovation and experimentation in a rapidly evolving sector.

Originally from Lahore, Saqib’s journey shows a mix of hardship and opportunity. He worked multiple jobs during his studies, including at a grocery store and performing manual tasks, before earning a graduate degree from the London School of Economics.

He later founded a social impact organization and co-led a large-scale food distribution campaign during the Covid-19 pandemic, earning recognition from former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British royal family.

His early crypto career, however, was marked by setbacks, which he describes as part of the learning process in an industry without formal pathways.

Despite progress, risks remain. Pakistan’s crypto ambitions could strain relations with the IMF, which has expressed caution toward sovereign digital asset strategies.

Additionally, geopolitical uncertainties particularly involving Iran and the Middle East could complicate Pakistan’s balancing act.

For the US, Pakistan offers strategic value as a nuclear power, a potential partner in critical minerals, and a gateway to emerging digital markets.

For Pakistan, aligning with Washington’s crypto agenda signals an attempt to reassert relevance on the global stage.

Saqib remains optimistic, emphasizing the role of technology in empowering Pakistan’s youth and reducing dependence on external financial assistance.

“It’s a lot of good timing,” he said. “All the stars have aligned.”

As Pakistan deepens its engagement with global powers through crypto, its evolving strategy reflects a broader shift toward innovation-led diplomacy in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

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