Pakistan PVARA crypto registration deadline expires today

The deadline for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to register with the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) expires today, September 5, 2026. Under the Virtual Assets Act 2026, all firms currently operating in the country must file a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the end of the day to avoid being forced to cease services immediately.

Failure to comply with the NOC requirement is classified as a criminal offense under Section 70 of the Act. While the NOC is not a full license, it serves as a mandatory first step for firms to continue operating while they undergo further processes, such as local incorporation and full VASP licensing.

The regulatory move targets a massive market; PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib estimates Pakistan’s virtual-asset market at $250 billion, supported by approximately 40 million crypto-linked accounts. The new regime covers a wide range of activities, including exchanges, custody, lending, and derivatives, while enforcing strict AML, KYC, and cybersecurity standards.

Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan has facilitated banking access for compliant firms, allowing NOC-holding VASPs to open segregated Client Money Accounts with regulated banks. Currently, Binance and HTX are the only firms publicly confirmed to have secured early NOCs.