Crypto regulation gains put Pakistan in global spotlight: Bilal bin Saqib

WEB DESK: Pakistan has drawn international attention following significant progress in regulating cryptocurrencies and digital assets, with officials presenting the country as an emerging hub for the global digital economy.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Bitcoin Conference, Chairperson of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), Bilal bin Saqib, said Pakistan was rapidly moving towards a new digital economic model built on clear regulation, innovation and youth participation.

“Pakistan is transitioning towards a modern digital economy, and our objective is to empower young people to become digital creators and architects of this new economic system,” he said.

Three-pillar regulatory framework

Bin Saqib revealed that Pakistan has developed a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets based on three key pillars. While he did not go into operational details, he said the framework aims to balance innovation with financial stability, consumer protection and compliance with international standards.

He said the regulatory clarity had already started positioning Pakistan as a serious and credible player in the global virtual assets space, attracting interest from international investors and technology firms.

Investment potential in mining, Web3 and tokenisation

Highlighting future prospects, the PVARA chairman said Pakistan could see substantial investment in areas such as bitcoin mining, asset tokenisation and Web3 development in the coming years.

“With the right policies in place, Pakistan has the potential to become a competitive destination for digital asset investment,” he said, adding that the country’s large youth population and growing tech talent pool were key strengths.

Leveraging surplus energy for digital exports

Bilal Bin Saqib also pointed to Pakistan’s energy surplus as a strategic advantage. He said the country currently has more than 20 gigawatts of excess electricity, which could be productively utilised for bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence-driven data centres.

“This surplus energy can be converted into digital exports through bitcoin mining and AI technologies, helping Pakistan generate foreign exchange and strengthen its digital economy,” he said.

He added that with effective regulation, infrastructure development and international collaboration, Pakistan could position itself as a regional leader in the digital assets ecosystem.