Crypto diplomacy pays off: Pakistan wins access to the Trump White House

Pakistan’s MoU with World Liberty Financial to explore its USD1 stablecoin for cross-border payments yielded diplomatic value more than immediate payments: no pilots or licenses have materialized, but the deal secured high-level access to the Trump administration amid regional tensions and the Iran war. Pakistan’s booming crypto market and a new regulator (PVARA) exist, yet practical hurdles—licensing delays, banking onboarding, and the need to convert USD1 to dollars—complicate rollout, making the payoff largely about access rather than a quick policy win.