Pakistan Turns Crypto Into a Tool for All

Pakistan’s new regulator sees crypto not as a luxury but as a way to help its young, unbanked population. The country has the world’s third‑largest retail crypto market, with 40 million people trading digital assets without any rules or protections. The regulator’s chief said the government is moving from a gray market to a governed one, hoping to bring benefits back to the state. The country’s 250 million residents are largely under 30, and many lack access to banks or savings options. That makes digital money a potential ladder out of poverty. The regulator highlighted the need for clear rules and state control over digital assets, stressing that the aim is to treat crypto as sovereign wealth rather than speculation.Last year at a Bitcoin conference, the regulator announced plans for a national bitcoin reserve and a mining strategy. The first step is to place state‑held digital assets into a formal custody system, ensuring transparency and accountability. On the mining side, sites with surplus electricity will be evaluated for economic viability, with partnerships sought from global miners and AI compute operators. The project fits into a broader strategy of turning unused energy into productive use, linking mining and AI data centers to national digital infrastructure. The goal is to create responsible partnerships that boost the economy while keeping energy use efficient.