Business
Pakistan signs crypto deal linked to Trump family to explore stablecoin payments | The Express Tribune
Finance minister says digital innovation will be pursued in line with regulation and national interest
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb signs a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies on January 14. — Photo via X/@PakistanVARA
Pakistan has signed an agreement with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial, the main crypto business linked to the family of US President Donald Trump, to explore the use of a dollar linked stablecoin for cross border payments, the government said on Wednesday.
The Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies, which it described as an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial. The agreement will allow dialogue and technical engagement around “emerging digital payment architectures”.
Today, World Liberty Financial signed an MoU with the Ministry of Finance to explore innovation in digital finance, particularly the use of stablecoins for cross-border transactions, signalling growing global interest in Pakistan as a key market for digital assets. pic.twitter.com/rYzbfHYysd
— Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (@PakistanVARA) January 14, 2026
The development marks one of the first publicly announced partnerships between World Liberty Financial, a crypto based finance platform launched in September 2024, and a sovereign state. It also comes amid warming ties between Pakistan and the United States.
Read: Billion dollar digital fraud: call for effective cyber governance
Under the agreement, SC Financial Technologies will work with Pakistan’s central bank to explore integrating its USD1 stablecoin into a regulated digital payments framework, allowing it to operate alongside Pakistan’s own digital currency infrastructure, a source involved in the deal told Reuters.
The announcement coincided with a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, co founder and chief executive of World Liberty Financial and chief executive of SC Financial Technologies. Witkoff is the son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
According to the regulator, Witkoff met with senior Pakistani stakeholders to discuss digital payment infrastructure, cross border settlement and foreign exchange processes.
“Our focus is to stay ahead of the curve by engaging with credible global players, understanding new financial models, and ensuring that innovation, where explored, is aligned with regulation, stability, and national interest,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said.
Read More: ‘Is This Legit?’ to fight AI deceit
SC Financial Technologies, registered in Delaware, co owns the USD1 stablecoin brand with World Liberty Financial, according to documentation on the token’s reserves from July 2025.
Stablecoins, which are digital tokens typically pegged to the US dollar, have expanded rapidly in recent years. Under President Trump, the United States has introduced federal rules widely viewed as favourable to the crypto sector, while countries globally are assessing the role of stablecoins in payment systems.
Pakistan has been exploring digital currency initiatives as it seeks to reduce cash usage and improve cross border payments, including remittances, a key source of foreign exchange. The central bank governor said in July that Pakistan was preparing to launch a pilot for a digital currency and finalising legislation to regulate virtual assets.
Business
Budget 2026 Expectations: Real Estate Players Want Govt-Backed Subvention, Norms For Net-Zero Emissions
India has set a target to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels), and in 2021, India announced a long-term goal to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2070. As far as the real estate ad building sector in India, it contributes over 35% of India’s total GHG emissions, driven by building operations and construction materials like cement and steel. Amid increasing demand for green buildings in India, ahead of the Budget 2026, real estate stakeholders have outlined the steps required for developers to reach the net-zero stage.
Dhaval Ajmera, Director, Corporate Affairs, Ajmera Group, said that the real estate sector has emerged as one of the major contributors to economic growth. “In order to keep the momentum rolling and further pick up the pace, we expect the ministry to announce policy reforms and remedial measures in the upcoming budget that will benefit the buyers and developers alike. The need of the hour is to truly accelerate India’s transition to Net Zero. In relation to this, we urge the Ministry to introduce an Interest Subvention Scheme – specifically for Green-Rated Real Estate Debt. While developers are keen to build sustainable, IGBC/LEED-certified projects, the sky-high cost of capital remains a major barrier. As a remedial measure, a government-backed subvention of 200-300 basis points on Green Bonds would directly reduce the borrowing costs, making green projects financially viable rather than just aspirational,” he said.
Pankaj Jain, Founder and CMD, SPJ Group, said that the current share of buildings at 37 percent of global GHG emissions and more than one-third of global energy consumption makes real estate a game-changer. “Real estate developers must transition from marginal upgrading to an overall lifecycle approach. They should prefer using low-carbon materials, renewable materials, conserve water and adopt a performance monitoring approach. It will enable structures to create measurable gains in operating performance. At the same time, it is vital that the government establishes norms and provides economic momentum. It must also enforce net-zero building regulations, provide time-bound targets and provide tax & FAR concessions to net-zero real estate projects. In short, a net-zero transition in India will be accelerated only if regulations, investments and momentum converge.”
Rajat Bokolia, CEO, Newstone, said that to accelerate India’s transition to Net Zero, especially in a high-growth market like Delhi-NCR, developers and the government must work in tandem. “Developers should prioritise green building certifications, adopt energy-efficient construction, renewable energy integration, and sustainable materials at scale. At the same time, the government must incentivise green developments through faster approvals, tax benefits, and viability support for clean technologies,” said Bokolia.
Experts noted that strengthening green financing, mandating ESG compliance, and promoting transit-oriented development will be critical for the goal.
Netflix is likely to amend its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets, making an all-cash bid, CNBC’s David Faber reported on Wednesday.
In December, Netflix reached a deal to purchase WBD’s streaming platform HBO Max and the Warner Bros. film studio in a transaction comprised of cash and stock. The deal is currently valued at $27.75 per WBD share. This would put the deal’s equity value at $72 billion, with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion.
Bloomberg first reported this week that Netflix was considering adjusting its offer to be all-cash.
An amended offer would allow WBD shareholders to vote to approve the offer on a faster timeline, Faber reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Under the current deal, shareholders are expected to vote on the deal in the spring or early summer, Faber reported. Deals comprised of stock typically mean more financials and accounting need to be issued as part of seeking approval, which requires more time and expense, Faber added.
If Netflix were to make its offer all-cash the shareholder vote could move up to as early as late February or early March, Faber reported.
The change would come as Paramount Skydance has turned up the heat on its hostile push to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s business.
Earlier this week Paramount sued Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zaslav seeking more information about why the company’s board continues to reject its $30-per-share offer in favor of Netflix.
Paramount has repeatedly argued its deal is superior in value, given the estimated value of Warner Bros. Discovery’s TV networks. It has also amended its bid to solidify the backing of Oracle co-founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison.
Starting a budget can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to managing your finances. The good news is, with a few simple hacks, anyone can take control of their money and build healthy financial habits. Budgeting doesn’t have to be restrictive—it’s about making smarter choices, reducing stress, and planning for the future.
Track Every Expense: Start by recording every penny you spend for at least a month. This helps you understand where your money goes and highlights areas for improvement. Use apps or spreadsheets to keep it simple and accurate. Awareness is the first step toward control. (Image: AI-generated)
Set Clear Financial Goals: Define what you’re budgeting for—emergency fund, debt repayment, or vacation. Clear goals give purpose to your budgeting and make it easier to stay motivated. Break large goals into smaller milestones to celebrate progress along the way. (Image: AI-generated)
Follow 50-30-20 Rule: Divide income into 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings or debt repayment. This simple guideline helps beginners balance spending and saving. Adjust percentages slightly based on personal circumstances to maintain a realistic and flexible budget. (Image: AI-generated)
Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to a savings account each month. Automation ensures you save consistently without thinking about it. Even small amounts add up over time, making it easier to build an emergency fund or reach financial goals. (Image: AI-generated)
Cut Unnecessary Subscription: Review recurring subscriptions like streaming, apps, or memberships. Cancel services you rarely use. These small monthly savings can accumulate quickly, freeing up money for essentials or savings without feeling a significant lifestyle change. (Image: AI-generated)
Track Bills: Set reminders for bills and subscriptions to avoid late fees. Timely payments keep your budget accurate and reduce unnecessary penalties. Using calendar alerts or automatic payments ensures you stay on top of financial obligations consistently. (Image: AI-generated)
Shop With A List: Whether grocery shopping or buying essentials, create a list and stick to it. Impulse purchases often disrupt budgets. Prioritizing needs over wants helps you save money while still getting what’s necessary each month. (Image: AI-generated)
Review Monthly: Budgeting isn’t static; review your spending every month. Track what worked and what didn’t, adjusting categories as needed. Regular evaluation ensures your budget remains realistic, helping you stay on track toward financial stability and growth. (Image: AI-generated)
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