Tag: Pakistan crypto regulation

Pakistan introduce the Virtual Assets Act 2026, granting legal authority to PVARA to license and regulate crypto exchanges and digital asset platforms while strengthening oversight of the country’s digital asset market.

Pakistan moves to regulate digital assets with Senate panel approval of Virtual Assets Bill 2025, creating PVARA to license and supervise virtual asset service providers and protect investors.

Pakistan moves from informal cryptocurrency adoption toward structured governance by establishing advisory bodies like the Pakistan Crypto Council and a dedicated regulatory authority, aiming to formalize digital assets through licensing, compliance, and institutional oversight while balancing innovation, investor protection, and financial stability.

Pakistan holds high-level meetings with Binance Global CEO Richard Teng to advance crypto regulation, strengthen FATF compliance, and develop a secure digital asset framework.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has begun consultations with experts to draft legislation for cryptocurrency regulation and taxation in Pakistan, following directives from the Federal Tax Ombudsman.

Pakistan has launched a licensing framework for cryptocurrency exchanges through the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, inviting global service providers to operate under strict KYC and compliance standards.

A Senate committee has been informed that cryptocurrency is increasingly being used for ransom payments in Pakistan. Lawmakers debated the Virtual Asset Bill 2025 to regulate crypto, address money laundering risks, and bring transparency.

The State Bank of Pakistan has linked digital assets to the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, capping outbound transfers at $100,000 annually. The Senate Finance Committee is debating the PVARA Bill as concerns mount over $21 billion invested by Pakistanis in crypto markets.

Sindh High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar has stressed the need for amendments in Pakistan’s laws to effectively handle cases related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. Highlighting regulatory gaps, the chief justice noted that without legislative clarity and a final decision from the State Bank on the crypto ban, courts face hurdles in addressing disputes involving digital assets.

Pakistan has strengthened its global standing by advancing crypto diplomacy, establishing the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib emphasized that Pakistan’s evolving crypto policy is designed to unlock international opportunities and secure the nation’s economic future.

Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has begun deliberations on lifting the State Bank of Pakistan’s 2018 ban on cryptocurrencies. The authority’s first board meeting also set out a roadmap for licensing, regulation, AI-driven risk management, and global integration of Pakistan’s virtual asset ecosystem.

Pakistan initiates comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations, forming a national crypto council and launching a new regulatory authority to integrate blockchain technology and digital assets into banking, trade, and remittance systems.