The crypto revolution in Pakistan is starting to pick up steam. Following years of doubt, the government reaffirmed its intentions to legalize cryptocurrencies, which could establish the country as a center of financial innovation.
Key advisor Bilal Bin Saqib told Bloomberg on March 20, 2025, that Pakistan wants to “attract international investment” using blockchain technology. A young, tech-savvy populace drives millions of people currently using crypto. The action aims at economic modernity and less dependence on conventional banking.
The Virtual Assets Bill 2025 and the National Virtual Assets Regulatory Commission will supervise licensing, compliance, and enforcement, turning Pakistan’s regulatory situation around. The law suggests Virtual Asset Zones to attract international investment and encourage innovation.
Targeting its tech-savvy youth population, the program seeks to lower dependence on traditional banking and position Pakistan as a regional blockchain leader. Penalties for unapproved issuers guarantee compliance with international anti-money laundering rules, balancing innovation and control.
Why Does Pakistan Want to Legalize Crypto?
Pakistan’s drive to legalize cryptocurrencies stems from its desire to attract outside capital. In a recent video interview, Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, stressed that the country intends to foster innovation by using its 60% under-30 population, a “Web3-native workforce ready to build.”
He highlighted that Pakistan aspires to move beyond being a “low-cost, high-growth market.” Pakistan is to be a center for global crypto investors, noting the need for legislative certainty to unlock economic prospects.
Pakistan’s crypto legalization raises concerns about money laundering and criminal cash transfers, which are labeled as threats to national security. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) fears that insufficient monitoring might put Pakistan on the gray list, demanding tight compliance.
Economic instability, with inflation reaching 29% and a fluctuating rupee, heightens the dangers of crypto-driven financial volatility, needing a balance between innovation and anti-money laundering measures.
Pakistan’s crypto future rests on incremental CBDC experiments and blockchain integration. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) wants to launch a retail-focused central bank digital currency (CBDC) by late 2025, targeting digital payments and financial inclusion.
Blockchain implementation is spreading into land record digitization and transparent charity systems, eliminating fraud and inefficiencies. These efforts coincide with Pakistan’s desire to modernize its economy while limiting risks through controlled innovation.
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