Pakistan names Bitcoin and crypto as bedrock for new national financial rail
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, now chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), said Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital assets should form the foundation of a new national financial rail to drive growth for the country’s 240 million people. Saqib framed crypto and blockchain as core infrastructure rather than speculative instruments, citing rapid adoption among a young population and Pakistan’s rise to third place in Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index. The government has announced plans that include creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve, opening federal licensing to international crypto firms, and allocating 2,000 MW of power to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centres. Regulators are fast‑tracking rules to formalise previously unregulated markets and attract foreign investment, remittance efficiencies via blockchain, and high‑tech jobs. For traders: expect increased on‑chain flows, potential local liquidity shifts from large‑scale mining and institutional activity, and heightened regulatory clarity that could spur demand for BTC. Key SEO keywords: Bitcoin, crypto regulation, PVARA, Bitcoin mining, Pakistan crypto policy.
Bullish
The announcements and regulatory push are likely bullish for BTC price dynamics. Short term, opening federal licences and publicity around a strategic Bitcoin reserve can increase demand expectations and spot/OTC flows as local and international firms position for market entry. Allocation of 2,000 MW for mining implies potential increases in on‑chain coin movement and miner selling pressure, but formalisation and government backing typically reduce regulatory uncertainty — a net positive for institutional and retail demand. Over the medium to long term, building infrastructure (mining, AI data centres), clearer regulation (PVARA), and plans for a strategic reserve and remittance use cases improve market access and liquidity, likely supporting sustained demand for BTC. Risks that could temper upside include rapid large‑scale miner coin sales, policy reversal, or operational bottlenecks in power allocation; however, the coordinated policy narrative and adoption metrics (Chainalysis ranking) point to a constructive environment for Bitcoin.