Pakistan pursues strategic Bitcoin reserve and digital asset regulations

Pakistan is advancing plans to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, treating the cryptocurrency as a long-term national asset rather than a mere investment vehicle. Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), has reaffirmed this direction, noting that the government aims to prepare for future economic shifts by holding digital assets in national wallets.

Alongside the reserve initiative, Pakistan is implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework. Under the Virtual Assets Act 2026, the government is transitioning existing cryptocurrency service providers into a formal legal structure. Operators must apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by September 5, 2026, to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and consumer protection standards.

The government is also exploring the tokenization of traditional financial instruments, such as government bonds, to modernize capital markets. Additionally, Pakistan has allocated 2,000 MW of surplus power to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. While the strategic reserve concept is gaining momentum, specific details regarding the total amount of Bitcoin to be acquired and the funding methods remain undisclosed.