Malaysia’s Prime Minister Meets Binance Founder CZ to Advance Digital Asset Strategy

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently held a high-level meeting with Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) to accelerate the country’s digital economy growth, focusing on blockchain integration and digital asset innovation. The discussions signal Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional hub for blockchain technology, with key government bodies set to play a pivotal role.

April 23, 2025 – In a strategic move to bolster Malaysia’s digital economy, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) to discuss the integration of blockchain technology and the advancement of digital asset strategies, according to FinanceFeeds. The high-level meeting, held recently in Kuala Lumpur, focused on establishing legal, technical, and regulatory frameworks to support blockchain adoption, with the goal of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for blockchain technology and digital asset innovation.

The discussions involved key government entities, including the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and the Digital Ministry, which are expected to play central roles in this initiative. Topics covered included tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi), and the digitization of financial instruments, reflecting Malaysia’s broader vision to leverage blockchain across multiple sectors. The government also plans to explore blockchain applications in supply chain management, healthcare, and public services, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency.

Anwar emphasized the importance of responsible innovation, stating, “We are committed to harnessing blockchain for digital transformation while ensuring robust regulatory safeguards,” as quoted by FinanceFeeds. CZ, who has been touring Southeast Asia to align Binance’s roadmap with emerging markets, echoed this sentiment, noting that Malaysia’s proactive approach could set a precedent for the region. “Malaysia has the potential to lead in blockchain adoption with the right frameworks in place,” CZ said during the meeting, per FinanceFeeds.

Malaysia’s push into digital assets aligns with its broader economic goals. The country has been working to strengthen its digital economy since the launch of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) initiative in 1997, which aimed to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy, according to a historical overview by AsianHHM. More recently, the Securities Commission Malaysia has been active in fostering innovation, hosting events like the Varsity Hackathon (VHACK 2024) on April 20, 2025, to encourage blockchain development among young talent, as reported on SC’s official website.