A recent deal signed in Pakistan involving a privately-owned US cryptocurrency firm, World Liberty Financial (WLF), has raised eyebrows due to its connection to President Donald Trump’s family and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. The deal, which was reportedly signed days before the Pahalgam terror attack, involved Trump’s family holding a 60 per cent stake in WLF.
Reports suggest that high-profile individuals, including Zachary Witkoff, the son of Trump’s longtime associate Steve Witkoff, travelled to Islamabad to finalize the deal. WLF’s investors also included Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr., as well as Jared Kushner, their brother-in-law, who have all faced criticism for their international business ventures while maintaining close ties to political power.
The deal aimed to turn Islamabad into South Asia’s leading crypto hub and saw the appointment of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao as an adviser to the Crypto Council. However, concerns have been raised about Asim Munir’s direct involvement and its potential impact on Pakistan’s national security.
According to statements from the Pakistan Crypto Council and WLF, the agreement allows for the integration of blockchain technology across Pakistan’s financial institutions, the tokenization of assets, and the development of stablecoins. The deal also includes regulatory sandboxes for pilot projects in decentralized finance, with the goal of enhancing financial inclusion and digital transformation in Pakistan.
President Trump, who is currently on a Middle East tour signing multiple deals, has seen his sons Eric and Donald Jr. travel extensively in the region in recent weeks. The connection between the Trump family, Asim Munir, and the crypto deal in Pakistan has sparked speculation and raised questions about the implications of such partnerships on both national security and international relations.
