Wow! Big news from the world of crypto and global finance — and as someone who closely follows both, I couldn't help but share my thoughts.
At the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference, Pakistan made headlines by announcing its very first national Bitcoin reserve. Yep, you read that right! The government didn’t just stop there — they also revealed the creation of a Digital Asset Authority and plans to allocate a staggering 2,000 megawatts of energy to support crypto mining and AI infrastructure. This is a bold and forward-thinking step, especially coming from a country where economic discussions with the IMF are ongoing.
Bilal bin Saqib, adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, made a passionate case for this move, highlighting Pakistan’s young, tech-savvy population and calling on global tech giants to consider investing in the country. As someone from the region, I genuinely appreciate this visionary attempt to position Pakistan at the forefront of digital innovation. It’s not just about crypto — it’s about creating opportunity, jobs, and technological leadership.
That said, it’s no surprise that the IMF was caught off guard. Apparently, they weren’t consulted about this major shift. Now they’re raising concerns about the legal implications of the electricity allocation and Pakistan’s lack of a formal crypto policy. I get their caution — but maybe it’s time institutions start catching up with innovation, not resisting it?
As negotiations with the IMF continue, it’s clear that this move will bring tough conversations, but possibly transformative outcomes too. Whether you see it as a bold leap or a risky gamble, one thing is certain — Pakistan is stepping onto the global digital stage with confidence.
Would love to hear your thoughts — is this a brilliant step forward, or is the IMF right to worry?