Pakistan confirms plans for a strategic Bitcoin reserve

Pakistan will create a strategic Bitcoin reserve as part of a government-led initiative to embrace digital assets.

During his appearance at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the newly established Pakistan Crypto Council, said the government is setting up a national Bitcoin wallet to hold reserves long term.

He clarified that the initiative is not driven by market speculation but by a broader state strategy, adding that the government will “never, ever sell” the Bitcoin it acquires.

Pakistan’s decision marks a clear break from past skepticism. Saqib said the move was directly inspired by the United States’ decision to establish its own Bitcoin reserve, noting that Pakistan intends to follow a similar path in embracing blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

While the size of Pakistan’s intended Bitcoin holdings remains unspecified, the government has made clear its intent to acquire and retain the asset. It is still unclear whether the BTC will be purchased directly or obtained through other channels.

The announcement comes alongside a broader push to integrate blockchain technologies into the country’s public and economic systems.

Saqib also confirmed plans to allocate 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity toward Bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers, an initiative intended to generate revenue, create jobs, and attract foreign investment. Officials view this as a productive use of otherwise stranded energy and a path to modernize the power sector.

As previously reported by crypto.news, Pakistan recently disclosed plans to establish the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), a regulatory body approved by the Ministry of Finance to oversee the country’s digital asset sector.

The PDAA would be tasked with licensing and monitoring crypto exchanges, custodians, tokenization platforms, and related services, forming the backbone of Pakistan’s digital finance strategy.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has described the agency as central to placing Pakistan “at the forefront of financial innovation.” 

Beyond market oversight, the PDAA will also explore tokenizing state assets, enabling blockchain-based debt issuance, and guiding the development of decentralized finance infrastructure.

Saqib’s Pakistan Crypto Council has been closely involved in shaping these reforms. Established earlier this year, the Council has engaged with international stakeholders, including Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, who now serves as a strategic advisor on blockchain infrastructure and regulatory development.