The broader goal is to position Pakistan as a regional leader in digital finance and attract sovereign miners, tech firms, and clean energy partners.

Pakistan established PVARA under the Virtual Assets Ordinance 2025 and is inviting international exchanges and VASPs to apply for licenses as it shifts toward a regulated digital economy.

Overall, these moves are part of Pakistan’s broader effort to modernize its financial system and position itself within the emerging digital economy.

In May 2025, the government allocated 2,000 MW of electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, signaling energy backing for crypto-related activity.

Officials aim to improve financial accessibility and enable compliant digital payments while reducing illicit finance through traceable, regulated transactions.

Authorities are exploring a strategic Bitcoin reserve and advocate a multisector approach to digital finance to build national infrastructure.

Pakistan’s crypto market is sizable, with government figures showing over 40 million users and annual trading volume exceeding $300 billion.

The crypto strategy includes a government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a national initiative to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centers.

The stablecoin is expected to lower remittance costs, boost financial inclusion, and formalize offshore holdings through regulated on-ramps.

PVARA emphasizes a clear, innovation-friendly regulatory framework to drive economic growth, fintech opportunities, and broader digital finance adoption through both a stablecoin and a CBDC.

Earlier in 2025, Pakistan announced the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve at Bitcoin Vegas 2025 in Las Vegas, drawing attention from international figures including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr.

PVARA operates as an autonomous federal body with a multi-stakeholder board, aiming to curb illicit finance, protect consumers, and foster tokenized assets and fintech while ensuring Shariah-compliant innovation.

There is ongoing coordination between PVARA and the Pakistan Crypto Council to guide licensing, custody, and compliance within the evolving regulatory framework.

Pakistan plans to launch its first stablecoin as part of integrating virtual assets into the economy, a move announced by Bilal Bin Saqib, chair of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA).

The stablecoin will be pegged to a physical currency to ensure price stability, complementing Pakistan’s ongoing pursuit of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

Pakistan ranks third globally in cryptocurrency adoption per Chainalysis 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, underscoring potential for financial inclusion through digital assets.