Pakistan Plans to Legalize Crypto to Attract Foreign Investment

Highlights:

• Pakistan is creating clear crypto rules to help investors and businesses enter confidently.
• CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council wants Pakistan to be South Asia’s top crypto hub and attract investors.
• Trump’s Bitcoin reserve plan sets an example for other countries to follow.

After years of uncertainty, Pakistan is establishing a clear regulatory framework, allowing investors, traders, and businesses to enter the crypto space confidently. In an interview with Bloomberg, Bilal bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), expressed Pakistan’s stance on crypto. He stated that the country no longer wants to remain inactive and seeks to attract global investment. He emphasized Pakistan’s affordable, fast-growing market and a skilled Web3 workforce ready for innovation.

The decision came after a crucial meeting last month between U.S. officials and Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb. They discussed plans to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve and a crypto council. Soon after, Bloomberg now reported that Pakistan was drafting a legal framework for digital assets.

Pakistan Aims to Become South Asia’s Leading Crypto Hub

Last week, Pakistan’s Finance Minister established the Pakistan Crypto Council to guide the country’s crypto strategy. On March 14, Pakistan’s Finance Division appointed Bilal Bin Saqib as the Chief Executive Officer of the PCC. He aims to position Pakistan as South Asia’s leading crypto hub, competing with blockchain centers like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong. He is also exploring blockchain and AI solutions to enhance government operations.

In a recent interview, Saqib stated:

“We want Pakistan as the leader in blockchain-powered finance, and we want to attract international investment. Sixty percent of the population is under 30 [years old], we have a Web3-native workforce ready to build.”

As per data from a blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis Pakistan ranked ninth in global crypto adoption. According to Saqib, the country remains a growing crypto hub with nearly 20 million community members. During the last market rally, Pakistan saw $30 billion in remittances and $20 billion in crypto transactions. Experts believe clear regulations could further boost the sector.

Spoke to Bloomberg this morning 👇🏻

Our message is clear – Pakistan is done sitting on the sidelines! We want Pakistan as the leader in blockchain-powered finance. Pakistan is a low-cost high-growth market with 60% of the population under 30. We have a web3 native workforce ready… pic.twitter.com/VwhGGh7QWg

— Bilal bin Saqib MBE (@Bilalbinsaqib) March 20, 2025

Trump’s Crypto Push Sets Global Benchmark

Saqib referred to US President Donald Trump as the most significant bullish force in crypto history. “Trump is making crypto a national priority, and every country, including Pakistan, will have to follow suit or will be at the risk of being left behind,” Saqib said. Trump recently signed an executive order for a Bitcoin-only reserve. He pledged that the US government would not sell its 200,000 BTC.

At the time of the appointment, Saqib mentioned that it marked only the beginning and highlighted Pakistan’s openness to business. He believes that blockchain and crypto adoption could greatly benefit developing nations such as Pakistan and Nigeria. Implementing blockchain for remittances and trade may help decrease dependence on traditional banking systems. It could also lower fees by 5-9% and enable seamless cross-border payments.

Honoured to lead as CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, working with our esteemed board and Chairman, the Finance Minister, at a defining moment for our nation.

With Pakistan ranking in the top 10 for global crypto adoption and an estimated 25M+ active users, alongside a $30B+… https://t.co/iFRlHXOtXU pic.twitter.com/laj0arzpN9

— Bilal bin Saqib MBE (@Bilalbinsaqib) March 15, 2025

Pakistan’s central bank previously raised concerns, but the government now aims to manage risks with careful legislation. Clear regulations may encourage innovation and prevent misuse of decentralized networks.