A controversial agreement between a US crypto firm with ties to Donald Trump’s family and Pakistan’s newly formed Crypto Council has raised eyebrows in India and the US, especially due to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s involvement.
New Delhi, May 16, 2025
A newly surfaced crypto partnership between a US-based blockchain company, backed by key members of Donald Trump’s family, and Pakistan’s Crypto Council has come under intense scrutiny across geopolitical and security circles in New Delhi and Washington.
The firm, World Liberty Financial, reportedly has majority ownership by Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr., along with son-in-law Jared Kushner, collectively holding a 60% stake. The deal was signed shortly before the Pahalgam terror attack in India and the launch of Operation Sindoor.
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Pakistan’s Crypto Push And Trump Links
In early April, the nascent Pakistan Crypto Council inked a Letter of Intent with World Liberty Financial. The council, which aims to make Islamabad the “crypto capital of South Asia”, also brought on Binance founder Changpeng Zhao as an advisor, a move intended to lend legitimacy to the project.
Adding to the intrigue, the deal was signed during a high-profile visit by US delegates led by Zachary Witkoff, whose father Steve Witkoff is a known Trump associate and currently serves as the US Special Envoy to the Middle East.
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Meeting With Army Chief Asim Munir Raises Red Flags
The visiting team was welcomed personally by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, and a closed-door meeting followed that included Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Munir’s involvement has triggered speculation about whether the deal has implications beyond financial technology — possibly touching on national security interests, though no such link has yet been established.
Deal Details: Blockchain, Stablecoins & Institutional Access
According to joint statements by Pakistan Crypto Council and World Liberty Financial, the agreement involves:
- Blockchain integration across Pakistan’s financial infrastructure
- Launch of stablecoins
- Tokenisation of assets
- Regulatory sandboxing for decentralized finance (DeFi) pilot projects
The stated aim is to boost financial inclusion and drive digital transformation across Pakistan.
Backlash, Silence From Trump Camp
Following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, the timing and profile of the deal have triggered concern among Indian strategic experts. A report by Firstpost flagged the deal as a “non-transparent alliance with potentially political motives.”
Despite the growing criticism, the Trump family and the White House have remained silent. World Liberty Financial issued a statement asserting that the deal is “strictly apolitical”, aiming to bolster technological and financial growth.
Tags:
Donald Trump, Pakistan Crypto Council, World Liberty Financial, Asim Munir, Trump family, Blockchain in Pakistan, Cryptocurrency, India Pakistan tensions, Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, OperationSindoor,