Pakistan Announces Plans for National Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Pakistan has officially announced its intention to establish a government-led Bitcoin strategic reserve, marking a dramatic shift from the country's previously hostile stance toward cryptocurrencies. The announcement was made at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas by Bilal Bin Saqib, head of Pakistan's National Crypto Council, and the country's special assistant on blockchain and cryptocurrency.

"Today is a very historic day. Today, I announce the Pakistani government is setting up its own government-led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, and we want to thank the United States of America again because we were inspired by them," Saqib declared to the conference audience on May 28.

The announcement represents one of the most significant cryptocurrency policy reversals in recent years, as Pakistan's government had previously maintained that digital assets would never be legalized in the country . The decision to pursue a Bitcoin reserve follows the regulatory transformation in Washington under the Trump administration, which has embraced pro-crypto policies and established America's own strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Comprehensive Crypto Infrastructure Development

Pakistan's Bitcoin reserve announcement caps months of accelerated cryptocurrency policy development. The country first signaled its shifting stance in February 2025 with the formation of the National Crypto Council, tasked with developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks and attracting foreign investment to the sector.

The Council has already announced several major initiatives, including the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of excess energy capacity to Bitcoin mining operations and high-performance computing data centers . This energy allocation represents a significant commitment to becoming a major player in the global Bitcoin mining industry.

Adding credibility to Pakistan's crypto ambitions, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao was appointed as an adviser to the Council in April 2025 . Zhao's role involves providing guidance on cryptocurrency regulations, blockchain infrastructure development, and digital asset adoption strategies.

New Regulatory Framework

To support its cryptocurrency ambitions, Pakistan's Ministry of Finance recently commissioned the establishment of a dedicated Digital Asset Authority. This new regulatory body will oversee the licensing and regulation of crypto platforms operating within the country, providing the legal infrastructure necessary for widespread digital asset adoption.

The creation of a specialized regulatory authority signals Pakistan's commitment to establishing a comprehensive and professional approach to cryptocurrency oversight, moving beyond the ad-hoc policies that have characterized many countries' approaches to digital assets.

Global Trend Toward National Bitcoin Reserves

Pakistan's announcement aligns with a growing global trend of nation-states adopting Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. Following El Salvador's pioneering adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, several countries have begun exploring or implementing their own Bitcoin accumulation strategies.

The United States' establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve under the Trump administration has provided political cover for other nations to pursue similar policies. Pakistan's explicit acknowledgment of American inspiration demonstrates how US leadership in the cryptocurrency space is encouraging broader international adoption.

Economic Implications

For Pakistan, a country that has historically struggled with currency stability and inflation, Bitcoin adoption could provide a hedge against traditional monetary pressures. The country's significant energy resources, particularly in renewable and excess capacity, position it well to participate in Bitcoin mining while building strategic reserves.

The announcement comes at a time when institutional and sovereign adoption of Bitcoin is accelerating globally, with major corporations like GameStop and Strategy leading corporate treasury diversification into digital assets.

Pakistan's transformation from cryptocurrency skeptic to strategic reserve architect represents one of the most dramatic policy shifts in the digital asset space, potentially setting a precedent for other emerging economies to follow suit. The success of Pakistan's Bitcoin strategy will likely influence other nations considering similar moves, making the South Asian country a closely watched case study in sovereign cryptocurrency adoption.