Islamabad, Pakistan — In a historic move aimed at modernising its economy and embracing the digital age, Pakistan has launched its first-ever strategic Bitcoin reserve. The announcement was made by Bilal bin Saqib, crypto assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference held in the United States.
In his keynote address, Bilal bin Saqib highlighted Pakistan’s rapidly growing crypto adoption and tech-savvy youth population.
“Our youth are online and on-chain. Pakistan, with over 40 million crypto wallets and an average age of 23 years, is now being recognised for its future rather than its past,” he stated.
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The initiative includes the launch of a national Bitcoin wallet and the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of electricity dedicated to cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. These strategic measures are designed to attract autonomous miners, tech startups, and international blockchain companies to invest in Pakistan.
Regulatory Milestone: Formation of Pakistan Digital Asset Authority
A key part of the announcement was the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Asset Authority (PDAA), a regulatory body approved by the Ministry of Finance on May 21. The PDAA is tasked with:
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Regulating the $25 billion informal crypto market
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Overseeing crypto exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, and DeFi platforms
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Promoting tokenisation of national assets and public debt
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Ensuring alignment with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) standards
Bilal bin Saqib emphasised the importance of regulation in protecting investors and legitimising Pakistan’s place in the global digital economy.
“The PDAA is a critical step in protecting global investors and formalising Pakistan’s role in the digital economy,” he said.
“We are opening the door for global collaboration. Come and invest in Pakistan’s tech ecosystem.”
International Attention and Support
The announcement drew significant international attention. Dignitaries present at the event included U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., who were acknowledged for their roles in promoting regional peace between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan’s bold entry into the digital finance space aligns with global trends and signals a major shift in its economic strategy. The country, already known for its booming freelance and digital services economy, now positions itself as a rising hub for blockchain innovation, crypto regulation, and AI integration.
