Pakistan plans to introduce more transparent crypto regulation
Pakistan launches crypto regulation effort through newly formed council
Pakistan is moving closer to formal crypto regulation, with the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) initiating efforts to establish a transparent and secure digital asset framework.
While cryptocurrencies remain technically illegal in the country, the PCC—led by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb—has launched high-level discussions in Islamabad aimed at balancing innovation, investor protection, and financial stability, reports CoinGape.
Key government bodies including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the ministries of law and IT are involved in drafting the new policies. A dedicated technical committee will review existing proposals and recommend a governance structure to the PCC in its upcoming sessions.
Pakistan Digital Assets Authority to lead crypto oversight
As part of the broader regulatory initiative, Pakistan has established the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), tasked with overseeing blockchain growth and safeguarding market participants. The PDAA will also support financial inclusion and fintech innovation through structured oversight of exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.
Authorities are also considering the creation of an autonomous regulator specifically for crypto and digital finance. The move reflects growing governmental acknowledgment of crypto’s role in the evolving financial landscape and the need for targeted supervision to enable responsible adoption.
Clear regulation strengthens Pakistan’s Bitcoin reserve ambitions
The regulatory momentum comes as Pakistan explores plans to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the Crypto Council, unveiled this ambition at the Bitcoin Conference, though the plan may face pushback from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to macroeconomic and energy concerns.
Regulatory clarity will be crucial to overcoming these hurdles, ensuring the reserve plan aligns with international norms while boosting investor confidence. A robust legal framework could also help reduce IMF objections and support Pakistan’s long-term strategy to integrate digital assets into its economic model.
Recently we wrote that the International Monetary Fund has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s surprise decision to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, questioning both its legality and timing.
