Pakistan has launched its first-ever government Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, marking a historic shift in its stance on cryptocurrencies. The announcement was made by Bilal Bin Saqib, the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, during the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas.
Saqib emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to embracing decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology, drawing inspiration from the U.S. crypto regulatory model. “We’re entering a new era led by the young and tech-savvy. Pakistan’s past doesn’t define our future,” he stated.
The state will lock the digital assets into this new reserve, not for speculation, but as a sovereign financial strategy. Saqib described it as a move to signal confidence in decentralized finance and to strengthen Pakistan’s economic foundation through innovative technologies.
A Shift from Crypto Ban to Leadership
This represents a dramatic pivot from Pakistan’s previous stance, where cryptocurrency was effectively banned. The formation of the Pakistan Crypto Council in early 2025 laid the groundwork for this transformation by establishing a policy framework for crypto governance.
Industry experts, like Indian advisor Gaurang Podar, noted that billions are now flowing into crypto innovations across Asia, and Pakistan aims to be at the forefront.
Leveraging Power for Bitcoin and AI
To support this ambition, the country is allocating over 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. This strategy is intended to attract international capital, create tech jobs, and monetize underused infrastructure.
Additionally, the government is forming the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA)—a regulatory body to issue licenses, monitor platforms, and align crypto operations with global financial compliance standards.
With over 40 million crypto wallets and one of the world’s fastest-growing freelance economies, Pakistan is becoming a hotbed for digital innovation. Saqib invited global Web3 founders to consider Pakistan as a prime destination for building the future of finance.
Global Alliances for Digital Finance
In April, Pakistan signed a Letter of Intent with World Liberty Financial (WLFI)—a decentralized protocol from the U.S. with ties to the Trump family—to explore real-world asset tokenization. The initiative aims to contribute to Pakistan’s emerging digital financial architecture.
As global crypto adoption accelerates, Pakistan is positioning itself to become a Web3 and blockchain leader in emerging markets, backed by regulatory clarity, energy infrastructure, and a growing talent pool.
