Pakistan Embraces Bitcoin and Digital Assets for Economic Transformation

According to Cointelegraph, Pakistan is positioning Bitcoin and digital assets as pivotal components of a new financial infrastructure for its 240 million citizens. This development was highlighted by Bilal Bin Saqib, chairman of Pakistan’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), during the Bitcoin MENA Conference. Saqib emphasized the need for Pakistan to move beyond traditional economic models, advocating for digital assets as a foundational element of a new financial system for the global south. He stated that these assets should be viewed not merely as speculative tools but as essential infrastructure. Saqib, who previously served as a special assistant to the prime minister on blockchain and crypto, is tasked with transforming Pakistan's large, unregulated crypto market into a compliant and investment-ready ecosystem. He pointed out that with 70% of Pakistan's population under the age of 30, the country has the demographic advantage and scale to establish a regulated crypto ecosystem. Saqib drew a parallel with El Salvador, suggesting that if a country with a population of 6 million can successfully integrate Bitcoin, Pakistan, with its significantly larger population and rapidly growing digital sector, can achieve even greater success. Pakistan's crypto market is one of the fastest-growing globally, having climbed to third place in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index. In May, Saqib announced plans for Pakistan to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve and adopt more pro-crypto regulatory policies. That same month, the country allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, aiming to attract foreign investment and create high-tech jobs by channeling excess power into AI and crypto infrastructure. In September, Pakistan extended an invitation to global crypto companies to apply for licenses under its new federal regulatory framework. The PVARA called for expressions of interest from major exchanges and service providers looking to enter the Pakistani market. This move is part of a broader strategy to integrate digital assets into the national economy, signaling a significant shift towards embracing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology as key drivers of economic growth.