Pakistan to Legalize Crypto Trading, Targeting International Investment
Pakistan is taking steps to establish a legal framework for cryptocurrency trading, aiming to attract global investors to the country.
Bilal bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, informed Bloomberg TV that Pakistan intends to build a transparent regulatory system designed to manage digital-asset activities as part of an effort to strengthen the local crypto ecosystem.
Despite reported warnings from the central bank concerning the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, significant crypto trading is already occurring within Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country. According to a Bloomberg report citing data from Chainalysis, Pakistan currently holds the ninth position globally in crypto adoption. Saqib noted that the number of crypto users in Pakistan ranges from 15 to 20 million.
“Pakistan is no longer staying on the sidelines,”
Saqib stated. “We’re targeting international investment because Pakistan offers a low-cost, high-growth market, with 60% of its population under 30 and a Web3-ready workforce eager to innovate.”
His ambitions include positioning Pakistan as South Asia’s leading crypto hub, potentially rivaling cities like Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong in terms of blockchain prominence.
This push toward legalization comes in the wake of Saqib’s recent appointment as chief advisor to the finance minister on digital asset management. In this position, he will also be assessing how artificial intelligence can improve government efficiency, streamline decision-making, and encourage innovation in public services.
This development corresponds with a broader trend in Asia’s key digital-asset markets, where lawmakers are increasingly embracing the industry, influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s favorable stance on cryptocurrency. Saqib noted that:
“Trump is prioritizing crypto on a national level, and countries like Pakistan will need to keep pace.”
