A16z Backs $12.9M Funding for ZAR to Expand Stablecoin Access in Pakistan

Andreessen Horowitz (A16z), a major player in venture capital, has made a into emerging markets by leading a $12.9 million fundraising round for ZAR, a fintech beginup with large plans to change how people in Pakistan access money.

This funding shows that large investors like Dragonfly Capital, Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Endeavour Catalyst believe strongly in the initiatives to finance the unbanked through blockchain.

All About ZAR

ZAR was by fintech entrepreneurs Sebastian Scholl and Brandon Timinsky. The company promises to send dollar-backed stablecoins to Pakistan’s huge network of small corner stores, phone kiosks, and money brokers. This is a system that of people already use to send money and top up their phones. 

This concept makes it easier for people to get into crypto by letting them trade cash for digital assets by scanning a QR code at participating stores. They can also put stablecoins into a wallet linked to a so they can use them anywhere in the world. 

This grassroots method is already gaining ground in Pakistan’s large cities. The methodology is supposed to be simple to use, protecting the ordinary person from the complexity of blockchain while still giving them the benefits of digital currency. 

ZAR’s performance so far shows a strong need for simple-to-use digital payments linked to the dollar. This is especially true now that Pakistan is viewking to regulate its growing crypto industry and attract international participants through a new federal virtual asset licensing framework.

What Could Zar’s Growth Mean For The Stablecoin Markets In Pakistan?

ZAR’s growth, which is being supported by ‘s investment, is likely to have a significant impact on how many people in Pakistan use stablecoins in the coming year. According to Chainalysis’s 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, Pakistan came in third.

This shows that more people are getting involved with digital assets at the grassroots level. There are more than 100 million adults without a bank account right now; thus, ZAR’s simple-to-use, stablecoin answer has a considerable market.

Stablecoin volume in Pakistan could expand rapidly if regulatory clarity prompts more people to use it and the pilot program continues to go strong. If it works well in Pakistan, it might serve as a model for other developing countries. The founders of ZAR are already planning to expand into Africa by 2026. 

So, over the next 12 to 24 months, might go from being a groundbreaking fintech beginup to the main way people get digital money, not just in Pakistan but also in other places with many unbanked people and growing interest in cryptocurrency.

ZAR’s extension of access in Pakistan is a key moment for financial inclusion, innovation, and the future of crypto-powered banking in emerging nations, thanks to legislative support and funding from large venture firms. ZAR’s next step will likely set the tone for how digital currencies are used elsewhere, beyond Pakistan.