ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Diya TV) — Pakistan is creating a legal framework to trade cryptocurrencies as it seeks foreign investment and increases its digital economy. Bilal Bin Saqib, Chief Executive Officer at the Pakistan Crypto Council, reported that the process is meant to create proper guidelines for digital assets, making the local ecosystem more robust.
Cryptocurrency trading has seen a significant surge in Pakistan, with the nation positioned as ninth in the world for crypto adoption by Chainalysis. Saqib calculates that as many as 15 million to 20 million Pakistanis participate in crypto trading.
“Pakistan is finished sitting on the sidelines,” Saqib said. “We want to bring in international investment because Pakistan is a low-cost, high-growth market with 60% of the population under 30. We have a Web3 native workforce eager to build.
The appointment comes after Saqib was recently named Chief Adviser to the Finance Minister of the Pakistan Crypto Council. He will help develop policies for digital assets and examine the use of artificial intelligence to make the government more efficient and stimulate public sector innovation.
Pakistan’s move follows a wider trend in Asia as legislators become more open to the digital assets market. Saqib commented that Donald Trump, former U.S. President, showed a pro-crypto inclination that had international implications. “Trump is making crypto a national priority, and every country, including Pakistan, will have to follow,” he said.
The government has also proposed the Virtual Assets Bill 2025, which seeks to regulate the issuance, trading, and custody of virtual assets in Pakistan. The bill contains provisions for a Digital Rupee, which will be tied to the Pakistani Rupee and overseen by the central bank.
