In a landmark announcement that signals a major policy reversal, Pakistan has officially declared its intent to establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, making it one of the few countries to embrace Bitcoin at a national level. The announcement was made by Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, during the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas.
Just a few years ago, the idea of Pakistan legalizing—let alone strategically holding—Bitcoin would have been unimaginable. The country’s financial regulators had maintained a staunch anti-crypto stance, repeatedly warning citizens about the risks associated with digital assets. But the winds of change are blowing.
From Resistance to Adoption
Standing before a global audience of crypto enthusiasts, Saqib delivered a message that turned heads:
“Today is a historic day for Pakistan. I am honored to announce that our government is establishing a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve. We drew inspiration from the steps taken by the United States, and we’re now ready to position Pakistan as a serious player in the crypto space.”
This announcement marks a dramatic shift in national policy, especially considering Pakistan’s earlier declarations that cryptocurrencies would never receive formal recognition within the country. It also reflects the broader global trend of governments warming up to digital assets as they reevaluate their economic strategies in the wake of changing geopolitical and financial landscapes.
A Broader Crypto Vision for Pakistan
This isn’t an isolated move. It’s part of a broader vision Pakistan has been quietly crafting throughout 2025. Back in February, the government floated the idea of forming a National Crypto Council, aimed at developing a regulatory framework that could foster innovation while ensuring investor protection.
That council is now taking on ambitious initiatives. Among them: allocating 2,000 megawatts of surplus energy specifically for Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing infrastructure. In a country where energy management has often been a challenge, this signals a strategic push to utilize underused capacity for revenue-generating opportunities in the digital economy.
The Council has also proposed using runoff energy—often wasted in traditional systems—for powering Bitcoin mining farms, thereby turning inefficiency into profitability.
Strategic Alliances and Global Influence
Notably, Pakistan is not acting alone. It’s building strategic alliances to ensure success. The most prominent example is the involvement of Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder of Binance, who was appointed in April 2025 as an advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council. CZ’s role includes shaping regulatory frameworks, advising on blockchain infrastructure, and supporting the country’s journey toward adopting digital assets responsibly.
Additionally, the Trump-backed World Liberty Financial Initiative (WLFI) has signed a letter of intent with Pakistan to assist in tokenizing real-world assets, developing decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions, and exploring innovative crypto products tailored for emerging markets.
Regulatory Backbone: Digital Asset Authority
To provide legal structure and compliance mechanisms, Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance has also initiated the formation of a Digital Asset Authority. This body will serve as the main regulator for all things crypto—overseeing exchanges, licensing digital asset service providers, and crafting the rules for this rapidly evolving space.
This kind of institutional support is rare in developing economies, and it’s a sign that Pakistan is taking the digital asset revolution seriously—not as a passing trend, but as a pillar of its future economic strategy.
A Turning Point
Pakistan’s embrace of Bitcoin at the state level could ripple across other countries with similar economic profiles. As inflation, currency devaluation, and external debt pressures mount, more emerging markets may look toward Bitcoin not just as an investment opportunity—but as a hedge and tool of economic sovereignty.
In just a few months, Pakistan has gone from banning crypto to planning energy-driven mining operations, forming strategic global partnerships, and now, creating a Bitcoin reserve. What seemed like a far-fetched idea is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic and forward-looking national crypto strategies on the global stage.
