Pakistan unveils first govt-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

Bilal Bin Saqib unveils Pakistan’s strategic Bitcoin reserve, 2,000MW mining plan

LAS VEGAS: In a landmark announcement at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, Pakistan’s Minister for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib unveiled the country’s first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, marking a historic pivot in the nation’s digital and financial outlook.

Addressing a global audience that included US Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr, he positioned Pakistan as a forward-looking digital hub, powered by its tech-savvy youth and strengthened by a shift toward decentralised finance.

The statement noted Pakistan having over 40 million crypto wallets and one of the “largest and most active freelancer economies in the world”.

“I’m not just here as a minister,” Saqib said during his keynote. “I’m here as the voice of a generation — a generation that is online, on-chain, and unstoppable.”

Bilal, who also serves as the CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, revealed that the reserve would not be used for speculation or trading but would serve as a sovereign holding — signalling long-term commitment to blockchain-based finance. The national Bitcoin wallet already holds assets under state custody.

It added that Saqib was leading the creation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) — a regulatory body designed to empower builders, protect investors, and formalise digital finance frameworks for the future.

“Both Pakistan and bitcoin have suffered from bad PR,” Saqib declared. “But if you look past the headlines, you’ll see something else: talent, resilience, and vision.”

He called on global crypto builders to come and invest in Pakistan. “If you’re building something real — come build it in Pakistan. Come build wallets for the unbanked. Come tokenise land. Come scale your mission with our youth and our unstoppable grit.”

During his keynote, Saqib delivered a “blueprint for the future of emerging markets in Web3 that positions Pakistan as a tech-forward, youth-powered, and opportunity-rich nation ready to lead,” the statement concluded.

On February 25, the government had announced it was considering establishing a National Crypto Council to adopt emerging digital currencies in line with global trends. In March, it appointed Saqib as the chief adviser to the finance minister on the PCC and later made him the council’s CEO.

According to a press release, Saqib will now be responsible for developing a comprehensive, FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets, launching bitcoin mining initiatives, and overseeing blockchain integration in governance, finance, and land records.