Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the PDAA is designed to protect consumers while attracting global investment, positioning Pakistan as a leader in the crypto industry.

Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, emphasized the potential for the PDAA to expand financial access and create new export opportunities through digital finance and Web3 technology.

Projected revenue for Pakistan's crypto market is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2025, which reflects a significant growth opportunity compared to the United States' estimated $9.4 billion.

Despite previous skepticism regarding cryptocurrency legalization, Pakistan ranked ninth in the 2024 Chainalysis crypto adoption index, highlighting strong retail adoption in the country.

Minister Aurangzeb stressed the importance of leading in financial innovation rather than merely following global trends, indicating a proactive approach to digital finance.

Overall, the establishment of the PDAA marks Pakistan's commitment to engaging with the digital economy and ensuring a secure and transparent financial future.

The PDAA aims to foster innovation, attract foreign investment, and enhance consumer protection in the digital finance space.

Pakistan has launched the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) to regulate its burgeoning digital asset market, which is estimated to encompass around $25 billion in informal digital assets.

The PDAA will oversee licensing and regulation of various sectors, including exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins, and decentralized finance applications, ensuring transparency and security for investors.

The Pakistan Crypto Council was formed in March 2025, with Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao appointed as a strategic adviser to guide the regulatory changes.

This regulatory body is part of a comprehensive policy framework aimed at aligning with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliance standards, promoting responsible adoption of digital assets, and enhancing economic inclusion.

Among its initiatives, the authority plans to promote regulated Bitcoin mining, leveraging Pakistan's surplus electricity to create economic benefits.