Pakistan has unveiled its first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, an initiative led by Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Crypto and Blockchain. He announced it during his keynote at the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference, addressing an elite audience that included U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.
Saqib shared that the reserve, maintained as a sovereign asset, reflects Pakistan’s commitment to decentralized finance. He underlined how the nation is transforming into a forward-looking hub for digital innovation, driven by its young population and informed by a necessity to evolve. The government has established a national bitcoin wallet to securely hold digital assets as part of long-term financial strategies, avoiding speculative activities.
The government has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity in its first phase to power bitcoin mining efforts and AI data centers. This initiative aims to attract global tech firms, sovereign miners, and clean energy partners, while monetizing unused energy reserves and creating high-tech jobs. Substantial foreign direct investment and government revenue are expected to be generated.
Saqib also announced the formation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), a regulatory body that will empower innovators, safeguard investors, and establish formal frameworks for digital assets. Describing Pakistan’s resilience and untapped talent, he invited global developers to invest in projects such as creating wallets for the unbanked, tokenizing land, and collaborating with the country’s skilled youth.
Earlier in the year, Pakistan had signaled its interest in adopting digital currencies through initiatives like the discussion to establish a National Crypto Council. Now, with Saqib at the helm, the government is creating a FATF-compliant regulatory framework and spearheading blockchain integration into governance, finance, and land record systems. This approach positions Pakistan as a rising leader in Web3 and decentralized finance globally.
