Pakistan Unveils Bitcoin Reserve in Landmark Crypto Shift

Islamabad pivots from crypto ban to embrace digital assets with strategic reserve and infrastructure commitments.

Pakistan has officially joined the global race to adopt Bitcoin, announcing the creation of a government-led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. The move marks a historic policy reversal for the South Asian nation, which only two years ago rejected the legalization of cryptocurrencies altogether.

Revealed by Bilal bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, the initiative positions Pakistan as an emerging crypto player, echoing policy trends in the United States and other pro-blockchain nations. Saqib’s statement at the event underscored the symbolic and strategic significance of the shift, crediting the U.S. for inspiring the country’s new direction.

“Today is a very historic day,” Saqib told the crowd. “I announce the Pakistani government is setting up its own government-led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. And we want to thank the United States of America again because we were inspired by them.”

A Sharp Turn from Past Crypto Policies

Just two years ago, Pakistan’s finance ministry issued a stark statement rejecting the legalization of crypto assets, citing concerns over volatility, fraud, and lack of central control. But as the global regulatory landscape evolved, Pakistan has quietly reoriented its stance, aligning itself with a growing list of countries integrating blockchain into public policy.

The strategic reserve will not be used for speculation or trading, according to Saqib. Instead, it will function as a long-term sovereign store of value.

“We will be holding these Bitcoins and we will never, ever sell them,” Saqib affirmed, highlighting the government’s commitment to treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset.

Details regarding the reserve’s funding mechanism, acquisition timeline, and custody arrangements remain undisclosed. Still, the announcement alone signals a notable evolution in Pakistan’s approach to digital assets.

Building a National Crypto Infrastructure

The reserve is part of a broader, coordinated national strategy to integrate blockchain into Pakistan’s economic and technological systems. A key milestone in that effort was the formation of the Pakistan Crypto Council earlier in 2025, with Saqib at the helm. The council is also advised by Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, adding international credibility and experience to Pakistan’s crypto efforts.

The council’s goals include:

• Promoting blockchain innovation within the country
• Establishing a stablecoin framework for domestic financial systems
• Supporting DeFi protocols for improved financial inclusion

These initiatives reflect a shift from viewing crypto as a threat to recognizing its potential as a driver of innovation, investment, and modernization.

Strategic Partnerships and Federal Support

Pakistan’s crypto ambitions were further underscored by its recent Letter of Intent with World Liberty Financial (WLF), a U.S.-based crypto firm with ties to President Donald Trump’s family. Signed in April, the agreement outlines cooperation in:

• Asset tokenization
• Stablecoin development
• DeFi regulatory architecture

The partnership was brokered during high-level meetings between WLF executives and top Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir.

In parallel, the federal government has committed to allocating 2,000 megawatts of power toward crypto mining and artificial intelligence operations. This power dedication is aimed at fueling large-scale digital infrastructure, including data centers and blockchain nodes, while making Pakistan more attractive to international tech investors.

A Crypto Economy on the Rise

Pakistan’s domestic crypto activity has seen explosive growth despite previous regulatory barriers. According to Chainalysis, the country now boasts 25 million active crypto users and an annual transaction volume of $300 billion—an ecosystem too large to ignore.

As such, policymakers are moving to create a supportive legal and regulatory framework. A formal digital asset regulation bill is expected to be introduced in the upcoming federal budget, signaling institutional buy-in at the highest levels.

The regulatory framework is anticipated to cover:

• Licensing of crypto exchanges and custodians
• AML/KYC compliance standards
• Taxation of crypto gains
• Investor protections in decentralized finance markets

These measures are designed to legitimize Pakistan’s crypto sector while balancing innovation with oversight.

Geopolitical and Economic Implications

Pakistan’s crypto embrace comes at a time when geopolitical alliances are shaping the future of digital finance. By aligning with U.S.-based entities like WLF and adopting strategies similar to those of the Trump administration, Pakistan is not only staking a claim in the digital asset arena but also signaling its openness to Western partnerships in fintech.

The strategic reserve could also serve as an economic hedge in a volatile global landscape. With the Pakistani rupee facing inflationary pressures and limited access to foreign reserves, Bitcoin’s deflationary design offers a potentially stabilizing asset for the country’s balance sheet.

Moreover, the government’s emphasis on holding—rather than trading—its Bitcoin signals a long-term vision tied to national sovereignty and digital independence.

Pakistan’s Next Chapter in Crypto

Pakistan’s entry into sovereign Bitcoin ownership reflects a broader realignment in the global financial system. What was once dismissed as a speculative technology is now being integrated into the fabric of national policy. From energy allocation to legal reform and international partnerships, Pakistan’s transformation could position it as a regional leader in digital finance.

If implemented successfully, the Bitcoin Strategic Reserve will not only serve as a fiscal anchor but also as a symbol of Pakistan’s evolving place in the global economy. Whether this bold shift pays off will depend on the country’s ability to build trust, transparency, and technical infrastructure to support its new crypto vision.