Pakistan announces creation of Bitcoin Strategic Reserve

Pakistan will establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, its Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Blockchain and Crypto Bilal bin Saqib has announced.

Speaking at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, Saqib said the national Bitcoin wallet was not for "speculation or hype".

"We will be holding these Bitcoins and we will never ever sell them," he asserted.

Saqib, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), also invited global investors to come to Pakistan. "If you're building something real — come build it in Pakistan. Come build wallets for the unbanked. Come tokenize land. Come scale your mission with our youth and our unstoppable grit," he said.

The Pakistan government recently allocated 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a new initiative to power Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, marking a major step in the country’s digital infrastructure expansion.

The initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council aims to monetize surplus electricity, attract foreign investment and create high-tech jobs. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb called the move a "pivotal moment" in Pakistan’s digital transformation, turning excess energy into economic opportunity.

What is a Bitcoin reserve?

A Bitcoin reserve refers to a pool of Bitcoin (BTC) held by an individual, institution, or government as a store of value, strategic asset, or hedge against financial risks—much like traditional foreign currency or gold reserves, but in digital form.

When maintained at the national level, such reserves serve strategic, financial, or technological purposes. Their importance lies in diversifying a country’s reserves, attracting foreign investment, and fostering blockchain innovation.

Pakistan has recently announced the establishment of a government-led Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, marking a significant shift in its approach to digital assets. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) under the Ministry of Finance, with support from international advisors, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

For Pakistan, establishing a Bitcoin reserve could help hedge against currency depreciation, promote financial inclusion, and position the country competitively in the evolving global digital economy.