PAKISTAN LEGALIZES CRYPTO (UNDER STRICT CONDITIONS) 🇵🇰
Pakistan has finally taken a historic step — crypto is now legal! 🎉 But this legalization doesn’t come without heavy restrictions.
A Look Back
In 2018, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had imposed a blanket ban:
❌ Banks and financial institutions were prohibited from dealing in crypto.
❌ Payments, trading, and exchanges were completely shut down.
Since then, Pakistanis could only watch the global crypto adoption boom from the sidelines.
Today’s Shift
✅ The 2018 ban has officially been lifted.
✅ Pakistan is introducing its own Digital PKR (CBDC).
❌ But crypto cannot be used freely for payments or as an open investment tool.
What’s Permitted?
✔️ You can hold and transfer Digital PKR, strictly under SBP regulations.
✔️ Limited use is allowed in fintech solutions and remittances.
What’s Still Off-Limits?
❌ You can’t shop with $BTC or $ETH.
❌ Free trading of altcoins remains restricted.
❌ “Normal” investment activity won’t be possible.
Bottom Line
This is controlled legalization — a cautious opening, not full adoption. Pakistan has unlocked the crypto door, but the keys remain in the hands of the State Bank.
👉 The real question:
Is this the first step toward full-scale legalization?
Or just a way to keep crypto tightly bound under state control?
