Against the backdrop of a growing global cryptocurrency wave, Pakistan is making significant strides towards a new era of digital assets with remarkable determination and strength. At the 'Bitcoin 2025 Conference' held in Las Vegas, USA, on May 28, 2025, Pakistan's Minister of State for Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Bilal Bin Saqib, made a shocking announcement: the Pakistani government plans to establish a national 'Bitcoin Strategic Reserve' and has allocated up to 2000 megawatts (MW) of power resources specifically to support Bitcoin mining and AI data center development. This series of measures not only marks Pakistan's recognition of the value of Bitcoin at a national level but also showcases its grand vision of leveraging cryptocurrency and blockchain technology to promote national development and financial inclusion.
Bitcoin national team
Minister Saqib clearly stated in his speech that the initiative to establish a Bitcoin strategic reserve in Pakistan was inspired by similar preliminary plans within the Trump administration in the U.S. It is reported that the U.S. strategy involves, at least in the initial stages, using Bitcoin obtained from criminal and civil forfeiture actions to supplement its reserves, estimated to be around 200,000 BTC.
Similar to the U.S. strategy, Pakistan also emphasizes its long-term commitment to holding its national Bitcoin reserves. Minister Saqib solemnly declared: “This wallet, the national Bitcoin wallet, is not for speculation or hype. We will hold these Bitcoins and will never sell them.” This firm 'HODL' (Hold On for Dear Life) attitude highlights Pakistan's profound belief in the lasting value of Bitcoin and its potential as an important national asset.
In addition, Minister Saqib revealed that the Pakistani government is closely monitoring the progress of U.S. legislation on stablecoins, particularly the (Guidance and Establishment of the U.S. Stablecoin National Innovation Act) (GENIUS Act), and stated that they are following the relevant developments very carefully. This also suggests that Pakistan may reference and draw from international advanced experiences and regulatory frameworks when formulating its own cryptocurrency policies.
In addition to establishing a Bitcoin strategic reserve, the Pakistani government has also taken substantive measures to nurture its domestic Bitcoin mining industry. Minister Saqib announced that the government has specially allocated 2000 megawatts of electricity specifically to support Bitcoin mining operations and the construction and operation of AI data centers.
This massive energy allocation plan is undoubtedly a clear invitation to global cryptocurrency mining and infrastructure industry participants. Minister Saqib enthusiastically stated: “We welcome all miners to come to Pakistan, and all infrastructure participants to come to Pakistan, to build together with us.” This open stance aims to attract international investment and expertise to accelerate the development of Pakistan's digital infrastructure.
Against the backdrop of increasingly fierce competition in global Bitcoin mining power, Pakistan's move holds significant strategic importance. Ample and potentially relatively inexpensive energy supply is one of the core elements in attracting large-scale mining operations. By providing dedicated power support, Pakistan hopes to become an emerging important node on the global Bitcoin mining map.
Minister Saqib emphasized that establishing a Bitcoin strategic reserve and supporting the mining industry are merely initial measures in Pakistan's broader embrace of the cryptocurrency industry. Behind this is a grand vision of using digital assets and blockchain technology to address deep-seated socio-economic issues domestically, particularly concerning the country's large unbanked population.
He explained: “We have over 100 million unbanked people. They lack tools for savings and investment, and we want to change that. We hope they can break through their economic class.” Minister Saqib firmly believes: “Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can help us achieve this tremendous leap.”
Pakistan's long-term planning also includes tokenizing illiquid national assets and implementing digital identity systems. These initiatives aim to enhance the liquidity and value of national assets while providing citizens with more convenient and secure digital services.
Minister Saqib concluded: “Therefore, Pakistan is looking for allies. Pakistan is seeking opportunities because Pakistan wants to build.” This statement emphasizes Pakistan's open attitude in seeking international cooperation and mutual development in advancing cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Response from the United States
It is worth noting that just as Pakistan announced its ambitious Bitcoin strategy, awareness of Bitcoin's strategic value in the U.S. political arena is also deepening. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also delivered a keynote speech at the 'Bitcoin 2025 Conference', emphasizing the strategic role of Bitcoin in U.S. national policy and urging the cryptocurrency community to remain politically engaged, or risk being overlooked.
Vance pointed out: “Unless you participate in politics, politics will ignore this industry. What happens within the bureaucracy will affect even the most valuable technologies.” He praised the growing activism within the crypto community for its impact on national direction and encouraged participants to carry it through to 2026 and beyond.
Vance specifically mentioned the government-supported 'Bitcoin Reserve' initiated under President Trump, stating: “About 50 million Americans own Bitcoin, and we want to start pushing for Bitcoin's strategic importance to the U.S. government.” He also cited China's crackdown on Bitcoin as an example, arguing that the U.S. should take the opposite approach: “If China is moving away from Bitcoin, then perhaps the U.S. should embrace Bitcoin.” He believes that in the next decade, Bitcoin will become a strategically important asset for the U.S.
National-level adoption wave
Pakistan's high-profile announcement of establishing a national Bitcoin reserve and strong support for the mining industry is another important case of a sovereign nation incorporating Bitcoin into its national strategy, following in the footsteps of countries like El Salvador. This move, combined with the growing attention in the U.S. political arena to the strategic value of Bitcoin, seems to indicate that a wave of national-level Bitcoin adoption may be brewing.
For Pakistan, embracing Bitcoin and blockchain technology is not only about seeking a foothold in the global digital economy, but also about addressing practical issues such as financial inclusion and asset liquidity domestically. Its large-scale power allocation may also make it a new competitor in the global Bitcoin mining industry.
From a more macro perspective, as more countries begin to recognize the strategic value of Bitcoin, the geopolitical attributes of Bitcoin will also become increasingly pronounced. It is no longer just a speculative financial asset; it is more likely to become a tool for countries to engage in competition in finance, technology, and even energy. The future development and impact of this Bitcoin race involving sovereign nations deserve continuous high attention from the global market.