Pakistan to Launch First-Ever Government-Led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve
In a landmark move signaling Pakistan’s entry into the global crypto economy, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Bin Saqib announced the creation of a government-led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve during his keynote at the Bitcoin2025 Conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
“Today I will announce that the Pakistani government is setting up its own government-led Bitcoin strategic reserve,” Saqib declared, drawing applause from crypto advocates and investors worldwide.
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National Bitcoin Wallet to Signal Long-Term Commitment
Taking inspiration from the United States’ pro-crypto regulatory shift, the minister revealed that Pakistan would also establish a National Bitcoin Wallet—a sovereign digital asset vault. This wallet will store Bitcoins already under state custody, not for sale or speculation, but as a long-term strategic reserve.
“This wallet, the National Bitcoin wallet, is not for speculation or hype. We will be holding these Bitcoins and we will never ever sell them,” he stated emphatically.
The initiative is part of Pakistan’s broader push to modernize its financial ecosystem and integrate into the global decentralized finance (DeFi) movement. Saqib also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Crypto Council, formed to guide national crypto strategy and policy.
A Nod to Global Leaders and Regional Peace
In a diplomatic aside, Bilal Bin Saqib thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his alleged role in promoting peace amid recent India-Pakistan tensions, and for his support of crypto adoption, aligning Pakistan’s strategy with broader global trends.
Legal Ambiguity Remains a Key Challenge
Despite the high-profile announcement, questions remain about the regulatory and legal framework surrounding digital assets in Pakistan. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) currently does not recognize Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies as legal tender, raising concerns over how the government plans to operationalize a sovereign crypto reserve.
The minister did not provide details on how the reserve would be formed or managed in light of existing legal constraints, leaving analysts eager for clarification on legislative reforms or regulatory pathways.
