Pakistan Plans to Establish Strategic Bitcoin Reservoir, Announces Cryptocurrency Minister
Pakistan has announced plans to establish a national strategic Bitcoin reserve, according to Bilal Bin Saqib, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency. The announcement was made during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas.
Bin Saqib revealed that the government will set up its own Bitcoin strategic reserve, drawing inspiration from the United States' initiative. In March 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve.
The Pakistani government will not sell the Bitcoins held in the reserve, Bin Saqib added. The country has recently allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, positioning it as a major player in global Bitcoin mining.
This move signals a significant shift in Pakistan's stance on cryptocurrencies, following the establishment of the National Crypto Council in February 2025 to develop regulatory frameworks and attract foreign investment. Bin Saqib is also an advisor to the President Trump-backed crypto project, World Liberty Financial.
Additional details about the strategic Bitcoin reserve were not immediately available, as the Pakistani government could not be reached for comment.
The United States has been actively supporting the digital asset industry, pursuing legislation to boost the space and ending regulatory lawsuits against top crypto firms. President Trump had promised to set up a strategic Bitcoin reserve and signed an executive order in March 2025 to push ahead with the plan. According to Arkham Intelligence, the U.S. government already holds over 198,000 BTC worth $21.2 billion in reserves, primarily made up of forfeited Bitcoin.
In a related development, El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, with President Nayib Bukele announcing the initiative at Bitcoin 2021 in Miami. The Central American government has since acquired over 6,191 BTC worth over $664 million, though the International Monetary Fund is attempting to persuade the country to halt further Bitcoin purchases as part of a loan deal.
As more countries consider adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, Pakistan's strategic Bitcoin reserve could be a significant step towards mainstream acceptance of digital currencies in the developing world.
[1] Pakistan National Crypto Council Established to Develop Framework for Regulation and Foreign Investment[2] Trump Signs Executive Order for Strategic US Bitcoin Reserve[3] Pakistan Announces 2,000 MW of Surplus Electricity for Bitcoin Mining and AI Data Centers[4] Cryptocurrency becomes legal tender in El Salvador and IMF raises concerns.
- The Pakistani government is establishing a national strategic Bitcoin reserve, mirroring the US's initiative, as announced by Bilal Bin Saqib, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency.
- Inspired by the US, the Pakistani government will acquire Bitcoins for its strategic reserve, with no intention of selling them.
- Pakistan is now leveraging its surplus electricity to position itself as a major player in global Bitcoin mining.
- The Pakistani government recently set up the National Crypto Council to develop regulatory frameworks and attract foreign investment in the cryptocurrency space.
- In a related news, El Salvador made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, with over 6,191 BTC acquired so far, despite the International Monetary Fund's efforts to discourage further purchases.
- As more countries consider adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, Pakistan's strategic Bitcoin reserve could pave the way for mainstream acceptance of digital currencies in the developing world, similar to El Salvador's move.
