Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan met with Bilal bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, in Kuala Lumpur to chart a collaborative course in blockchain, digital assets and Islamic finance principles. The dialogue centered on establishing a Pakistan–Malaysia Digital Finance Partnership to co-develop a Financial Action Task Force-aligned, Shariah-compliant framework that could serve as a blueprint for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states.

Bilal bin Saqib highlighted that Malaysia’s leading role in Islamic finance, combined with Pakistan’s recent strides in crypto regulation, creates “a natural alliance” for ethical innovation. He noted the opportunity to pioneer halal stablecoins, tokenized sukuk and compliant regulatory sandboxes specifically designed to empower youth and spur financial inclusion.

Under this initiative, the Pakistan Crypto Council is designing a passportable regulatory structure tailored to emerging markets, balancing dynamic growth with robust international compliance standards. Both delegations also pledged to harmonize cross-border regulatory coordination and launch joint Web3 education and talent development programs, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals in the region.

This strategic engagement marks the dawn of a deeper economic and technological alliance driven by shared values, with both countries committed to showcasing how Islamic and Shariah-compliant practices can lead global digital finance standards. It follows Pakistan’s introduction of its inaugural virtual assets policy framework under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing authority, aimed at fostering integrity and investor confidence.

Adding further momentum, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has joined the Pakistan Crypto Council as a strategic advisor, underscoring growing international trust in the country’s vision for Shariah-aligned digital asset governance. Together, Malaysia and Pakistan are setting the stage for a pioneering Shariah-tech ecosystem that blends ethical financial principles with cutting-edge innovation.