Minister Bilal bin Saqib unveils country’s first government-managed Bitcoin reserve at Vegas summit, marking a turning point in Pakistan’s digital and financial outlook

Pakistan has officially stepped into the era of Bitcoin, marking a pivotal moment in its journey toward a digitally advanced and financially inclusive future. The development was announced during the Bitcoin Vegas 2025 conference held in Las Vegas, where Pakistan’s Minister for Crypto and Blockchain Affairs, Bilal bin Saqib, declared the launch of the country’s first government-backed strategic Bitcoin reserve.

The news was reported on Thursday, May 29, by The Express Tribune, a prominent Pakistani media outlet. According to the report, this initiative signals a significant transformation in Pakistan’s approach to digital finance and decentralized technologies.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by several high-profile global figures including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., Minister Bilal highlighted Pakistan’s vision of becoming a digitally empowered hub driven by a young and tech-savvy generation. Representing not only the government but also the spirit of a progressive digital generation, he emphasized the importance of blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) in reshaping the country’s economic model.

He stated, “I stand here not only as a minister but as a voice of a generation — one that is online, on-chain, and unstoppable.” His address resonated with the global crypto community as Pakistan positioned itself at the forefront of blockchain-based innovation in South Asia.

In addition to his ministerial responsibilities, Bilal bin Saqib also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Crypto Council. He clarified during his speech that the newly formed Bitcoin reserve would not be used for speculative trading or short-term gains. Instead, it would act as a sovereign asset — a symbol of Pakistan’s long-term commitment to blockchain-based finance. The reserve is already active and secured in the nation’s official Bitcoin wallet under state custody.

Earlier in February 2025, Pakistan took a strategic step by forming a National Crypto Council. This council has been tasked with drafting regulatory frameworks, fostering responsible digital asset management, and attracting foreign investment in the crypto sector. In April, Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder of Binance, was appointed as an advisor to the council, further strengthening its international partnerships and regulatory direction.

Building on that momentum, Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on April 27 with World Liberty Financial (WLFi), a Trump-backed decentralized finance protocol. The agreement includes technical and strategic support for tokenizing real-world assets and developing Pakistan’s DeFi infrastructure.

Moreover, the Ministry of Finance has recently instructed the formation of a Digital Asset Authority. This regulatory body will be responsible for overseeing the licensing and supervision of cryptocurrency platforms operating within the country, ensuring compliance and fostering innovation within a controlled framework.

These developments collectively indicate a major policy shift in Pakistan’s digital and financial ecosystem. By formally integrating Bitcoin into its national asset management strategy and introducing structured regulatory bodies, the country aims to create a conducive environment for innovation, financial inclusion, and foreign investment.

Pakistan's entry into the Bitcoin era aligns with a global movement toward decentralization and digitization in finance, setting the stage for future advancements in blockchain technology, asset tokenization, and cross-border digital trade.