In a landmark development for the digital asset space, Pakistan has announced the launch of its first government-backed strategic Bitcoin reserve. The move marks a significant policy shift for the South Asian nation, aligning it more closely with the evolving global crypto landscape and signaling an official embrace of blockchain technology and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The announcement was made at the high-profile Bitcoin 2025 conference held in Las Vegas, where Bilal Bin Saqib, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Crypto and Blockchain, addressed an international audience that included US Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr. During his speech, Saqib confirmed that the government has allocated 2,000 megawatts (MW) of surplus energy in the initial phase to power Bitcoin mining facilities and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across the country.
Saqib emphasized the progressive vision behind the initiative, stating, “The Pakistan of tomorrow is being built today by its youth and led by a new generation of tech statesmen.” He added that the strategic Bitcoin reserve is modeled after a similar initiative by the United States, which recently established its own federal Bitcoin and digital asset stockpile. This bold step reflects Pakistan’s pivot towards a more crypto-friendly regulatory and economic strategy, especially under the influence of pro-crypto trends seen in the Donald Trump administration in the United States.
The formation of Pakistan’s Bitcoin reserve comes after a series of critical policy measures taken over the past year. In February 2025, the government created a National Crypto Council with the objective of drafting a comprehensive regulatory framework and attracting foreign investment in the crypto sector. In a significant move to boost credibility and global outreach, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao was appointed as an advisor to the council in April.
The country’s momentum in the digital asset space was further bolstered on April 27, when World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance protocol backed by former US President Donald Trump, signed a letter of intent to support Pakistan’s efforts in tokenizing real-world assets and building robust DeFi infrastructure.
To institutionalize oversight and enhance investor confidence, the Ministry of Finance has also commissioned the establishment of a new Digital Asset Authority. This entity will be responsible for licensing and regulating crypto platforms operating in Pakistan, ensuring compliance with global standards and promoting responsible innovation in the space.
These efforts coincide with parallel developments in the United States, where President Trump has issued an executive order to create a federal “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” and a “Digital Asset Stockpile.” These reserves will be funded initially through cryptocurrencies seized by the government in criminal and civil asset forfeiture proceedings.
Pakistan’s entry into the strategic reserve arena represents more than just symbolic participation—it’s a calculated step into the future of finance. As the country begins leveraging surplus energy for mining and AI infrastructure, and as it attracts international partnerships and advisory support, it appears poised to become a noteworthy player in the global crypto ecosystem.
