Pakistan Launches Bitcoin Reserve: New Opportunities for 100 Million Unbanked!

Pakistan Launches Bitcoin Reserve: New Opportunities for 100 Million Unbanked!

Pakistan has officially announced plans to establish a government-run strategic Bitcoin reserve. This decision was announced by Bilal Bin Saqib, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas. The initiative is reminiscent of similar efforts by the US government, particularly with regard to Bitcoin, resulting from criminal and civil seizures. It is estimated that the US government holds around 200,000 BTC in its reserves, which puts Pakistani plans to also create a reserve from confiscated Bitcoin into an exciting context.

Bin Saqib emphasized that the national Bitcoin wallet is not intended for speculation and the Bitcoin should not be sold. This highlights Pakistan’s long-term commitment to holding policy towards Bitcoin. At a time when over 100 million people in the country are unbanked, the government sees the creation of financial instruments as a crucial step to provide these individuals with opportunities to save and invest.

Energy policy and crypto mining

A key part of the plan is the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. Bin Saqib invites miners and infrastructure players to come to Pakistan and work together. This energy source is considered a strategic resource to provide global crypto mining and infrastructure players with the opportunity to collaborate.

The plans go beyond just Bitcoin reserves. Pakistan is pursuing a broader strategy in the crypto industry and also wants to tokenize illiquid national assets as well as implement digital identification systems. The government is also monitoring U.S. legislative efforts on stablecoins, particularly the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

Global perspectives and collaboration

By supporting Bitcoin mining and establishing a Bitcoin reserve, Pakistan is taking the first steps towards a comprehensive crypto strategy. Bin Saqib further noted that the strategies and initiatives are also intended to address the needs of the country's unbanked population. The willingness to collaborate and access resources demonstrates Pakistan's interest in creating a robust digital infrastructure.

In a broader context, US Senator Cynthia Lummis announced that a law for an actively accumulating Bitcoin reserve in the US could be discussed, which would provide for the acquisition of 300 BTC within five years. Pakistan's steps into the crypto industry could therefore have not only national but also international implications for the cryptocurrency landscape.

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