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

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

All About ZAR

ZAR was started 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 millions 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 Visa card so they can use them anywhere in the world. 

This grassroots method is already gaining ground in Pakistan’s big cities. The methodology is supposed to be easy 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 easy-to-use digital payments linked to the dollar. This is especially true now that Pakistan is seeking 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 A16z‘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 easy-to-use, stablecoin solution 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, ZAR might go from being a groundbreaking fintech startup 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 stablecoin 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 big venture firms. ZAR’s next step will likely set the tone for how digital currencies are used elsewhere, beyond Pakistan.