From Crypto Rejection to Bitcoin Embrace
In a bold reversal of prior policy, Pakistan has announced the creation of a government-backed Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, signaling a seismic shift in its approach to digital assets. The announcement was made by Bilal Bin Saqib, head of Pakistan’s newly formed National Crypto Council, during the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas.
This move puts Pakistan on the map as one of the first Muslim-majority nations to actively accumulate Bitcoin at a government level—just months after claiming crypto would never be legalized in the country.
U.S. Influence and Trump’s Pro-Crypto Legacy
Pakistan’s pivot comes in the wake of the United States’ own Bitcoin reserve movement and the broader pro-crypto policies under President Donald Trump. Inspired by this momentum, Pakistan is now positioning itself as a crypto-forward state, focused on regulatory clarity, national BTC accumulation, and foreign investment.
This transformation is particularly notable given Pakistan's economic struggles and historic skepticism toward digital currencies. The government now sees Bitcoin as a strategic asset and part of its broader financial modernization goals.
The National Crypto Council’s Rapid Expansion
The National Crypto Council, formed in February 2025, has already launched a wave of initiatives:
- Allocated 2,000 MW of surplus energy for Bitcoin mining and HPC data centers
- Appointed Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao as a strategic advisor
- Partnered with Trump’s World Liberty Financial (WLFI) to tokenize real-world assets and build DeFi infrastructure
- Set up a dedicated Digital Asset Authority to regulate crypto platforms and issue operational licenses
This multi-agency approach underscores Pakistan’s intent to lead the region in blockchain adoption, Bitcoin accumulation, and regulatory modernization.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as a National Hedge
The creation of a Bitcoin reserve isn’t just symbolic—it’s a national hedge against inflation, currency devaluation, and economic instability. With regional tensions and currency fluctuations a constant concern, Bitcoin offers Pakistan a non-sovereign, decentralized financial asset to diversify its treasury. Pakistan is also betting on the global legitimacy of Bitcoin, as more countries begin to hold BTC and implement pro-digital asset legislation.
A New Era for Crypto in South Asia
Pakistan’s U-turn comes at a time when neighboring India is considering tax reforms to retain crypto traders, while countries like El Salvador and the UAE continue to champion Bitcoin integration. The announcement could trigger a domino effect across South and Central Asia, as more governments wake up to the economic and geopolitical advantages of holding digital assets.
