Editorial
For years, Pakistan’s bureaucracy was seen as an obstacle to innovation, weighed down by inefficiency and outdated methods. However, 2025 has brought an unexpected pivot—Pakistan is now making waves in the global crypto economy. At the center of this transformation is the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body launched in March 2025 to drive blockchain adoption and digital financial reform.
Once considered anti-crypto due to regulatory hostility, Pakistan has emerged as a serious player on the global stage. The country’s youth-led crypto boom, with over 30 million active users and a $30 billion annual transaction volume, signals a market already in motion. Pakistan ranks third globally in crypto adoption and second in Solana’s developer hackathon participation—indicators of deep grassroots engagement.
The PCC’s impact has been immediate and strategic. Appointing Bilal Bin Saqib as CEO and onboarding Binance founder CZ as an advisor brought global credibility. The landmark partnership with World Liberty Financial, backed by the Trump family, elevated the initiative into a geopolitical talking point. Media in India, rattled by Pakistan’s sudden rise, highlighted growing U.S. interest—an indirect nod to Pakistan’s expanding influence.
Pakistan’s crypto ambitions go beyond regulation. With goals like making Islamabad the “crypto capital of South Asia”, PCC is positioning the country as a regional hub. Blockchain promises to reduce red tape, expand financial inclusion, and even turn surplus electricity into economic gain through mining and AI infrastructure.
This shift is not just about crypto—it’s a rebranding of Pakistan’s economic identity. From being a laggard to setting the pace, the PCC’s work reflects a country reclaiming relevance in the digital age. The challenge now is to maintain momentum through policy coherence and institutional support.
