From its usual caution, Pakistan in 2025 has decided to legalize cryptocurrencies and begin building an efficient digital asset market. By doing this, the country is hoping to lead in worldwide breakthroughs related to blockchain, digital money and decentralized economy systems.

Setting up dedicated agencies, making energy decisions and choosing leaders for the industry show Pakistan is actively involved in crypto. It isn’t focused on becoming a global leader, but on building regional Web3 expertise.

From Grey Zone to Green Light

For a long time, Pakistan’s crypto sector worked with limited or no rules. The SBP has issued warnings about virtual currencies and local banks regularly turned down any transaction linked to exchanges. Nevertheless, the activity of buying and holding crypto continued, as millions of Pakistanis used both domestic and foreign services.

Uncertainty about cryptocurrency ruled until March 2025, when the Ministry of Finance created the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC). The role of the PCC is to advance blockchain technology, set guidelines for regulation and back the introduction of Web3 into the nation’s economy.

By lifting restrictions, the change demonstrates how support can help blockchain ecosystems fully use their economic value.

 Establishing the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA)

  • The growth did not stop in May 2025 when the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) became a dedicated regulator for digital assets in the country. Because it is the PCC’s body, the PDAA is responsible for:

  • Governing and keeping track of crypto exchanges, custodians and DeFi platforms.

  • Developing national guidelines for doing business with stablecoins and tokenized securities.

  • Supporting the tokenization of assets belonging to the nation.

  • Following the rules against money laundering and terrorism financing.

The PDAA will manage the certification process for mining operations and also guide the evolution of public blockchain infrastructure for use in decentralized applications in healthcare, education, logistics and finance.

Allocating Surplus Electricity

To put dark fibers to good use, Pakistan decided to give 2,000 MW of its surplus electricity to Bitcoin miners and artificial intelligence data centers. Money will be distributed through public-private groups and regulatory sandboxes to ensure the plan is both efficient and can last.

According to Reuters, the policy will help conserve energy, generate IT jobs and boost foreign currency payments from international investors and mining companies.

Analysts forecast that the effort could produce annual revenues of up to $400 million and bring jobs to thousands of people in engineering, data analytics and blockchain fields.

The government made sure the project proceeded effectively by naming Bilal Bin Saqib—a respected businessman and policy expert—Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Crypto. In addition, he is the chief executive officer of the PCC.

To bring in his expertise from around the world, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) from Binance has been invited to be an honorary advisor on the council.

Because of their knowledge, the PCC and PDAA can see things from the ground up and at a global level, smoothly combining new ideas and trust in the institution.

Economic Impact and Market Potential

According to the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index from Chainalysis, Pakistan is ranked in the top ten countries globally for crypto adoption due to its 15–20 million users. Legalizing and regulating the industry should bring in billions of dollars, boost local progress and decrease our use of unregulated financial options.

Expect venture capitalists, Web3 startups and global exchanges to be drawn to South Asia because of the policy change.

When Pakistan legalized cryptocurrency in 2025, it signaled to the rest of the world that it wants to join in the development of the internet economy. Thanks to appropriate rules, eco-friendly energy use and teamwork with other countries, Pakistan is setting up a stable and progressive digital asset system.

It is obvious that Pakistan is ready to help crypto businesses thrive.

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