- Pakistan’s Crypto Council proposes using excess energy for Bitcoin mining, marking a significant policy shift from the country’s previous anti-crypto stance.
- The Council is developing regulatory frameworks to attract foreign investment and position Pakistan as a cryptocurrency hub.
- Pakistan’s pro-crypto move follows similar regulatory changes in the United States after President Trump’s re-election and subsequent executive orders supporting digital assets.
Pakistan has officially pivoted toward embracing cryptocurrency, with Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of Pakistan’s Crypto Council, proposing to utilize the nation’s surplus energy for Bitcoin mining operations. The proposal came during the Council’s first meeting on March 21, signaling a dramatic reversal of the country’s previous opposition to digital currencies.
According to an article in The Nation, the Council is working to develop comprehensive regulatory frameworks that would attract foreign direct investment while establishing Pakistan as a regional cryptocurrency hub. This initiative represents a strategic shift in Pakistan’s economic policy.
The inaugural meeting brought together key financial and regulatory stakeholders, including lawmakers, the Bank of Pakistan’s governor, the chairman of Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP), and the federal information technology secretary.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb expressed optimism about the initiative, stating: “This is the beginning of a new digital chapter for our economy. We are committed to building a transparent, future-ready financial ecosystem that attracts investment, empowers our youth, and puts Pakistan on the global map as a leader in emerging technologies.”
This pro-cryptocurrency stance marks a complete reversal from Pakistan’s previous position. In May 2023, former minister of state for finance and revenue, Aisha Ghaus Pasha, declared that cryptocurrency would never be legalized in the country, citing anti-money laundering restrictions under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as the primary concern.
The government of Pakistan moved to regulate cryptocurrencies as legal tender on November 4, 2024, coinciding with the United States presidential election. This timing aligned with significant crypto policy developments in the U.S. following Donald Trump‘s re-election.
After his January 20 inauguration, President Trump quickly implemented pro-cryptocurrency policies at the federal level. On January 23, he signed an executive order establishing the Working Group on Digital Assets, an advisory council focused on comprehensive digital asset regulatory reform. The same order prohibited the government from researching, developing, or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).
In March 2025, President Trump further strengthened the U.S. position on digital assets by signing an executive order to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve and a separate digital asset stockpile, likely to include cryptocurrencies developed by U.S.-based companies.
The presence of Bitcoin miners has been noted to have positive effects on electrical grid stability, according to research from Science Direct, potentially supporting Pakistan’s case for utilizing excess energy capacity for mining operations.
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