- Pakistan changes stance on cryptocurrencies and now wants to create a regulatory framework for crypto investments
- Surplus energy to be redirected to Bitcoin mining and AI centers, leveraging unused power for growth
Following the market turmoil triggered by tariff shocks, a pause in tariff plans has breathed new life into both the broader and cryptocurrency markets.
At the time of writing, the global crypto market cap stood at $2.59 trillion, marking a 6.57% hike in just a day, according to CoinMarketCap.
Pakistan’s Bitcoin mining strategy
During this period of market recovery, Pakistan has seized a strategic opportunity to harness its surplus electricity, redirecting it towards Bitcoin [BTC] mining and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
For those unaware, the country’s energy sector is facing significant challenges, including high electricity tariffs and underutilized generation capacity.
The growing adoption of solar energy has added complexity to the situation, as more consumers turn to alternative energy sources to manage costs.
In response, discussions with various mining firms are underway to establish mining centers in regions with an abundance of unused electricity. This would create a strategic opportunity to monetize surplus power.
Providing more information on the matter, Bitcoin Pakistan took to X and noted,
“There’s at least 10,000 megawatts of surplus energy under government control that can be used to mine Bitcoin.”
This announcement comes shortly after the country’s power division revealed plans to introduce a new electricity tariff. This will be aimed at absorbing surplus power and reducing the financial strain of capacity payments.
This tariff structure is crucial for ensuring that energy-intensive operations like cryptocurrency mining can access affordable electricity without relying on government subsidies.
The move also marks a significant departure from Pakistan’s previous position on digital assets.
Pakistan’s crypto strategy
Just a year ago, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Ministry of IT and Telecom had imposed a ban on cryptocurrencies. At the time, Aisha Ghaus Pasha, the then-Minister of State for Finance, firmly stated that digital currencies would never be legalized or permitted as a medium of exchange.
Nearly two years after Pakistan’s stringent ban on cryptocurrencies, the country has now reversed its stance. It is now actively working to regulate and integrate blockchain technology and digital assets.
This shift was solidified with the establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council in March 2025.
Here, it’s worth pointing out that a recent report from Chainalysis ranked Pakistan 9th in the 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index for Central & Southern Asia and Oceania.
This coincides with…
Adding momentum to this initiative, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council.
As confirmed by the Crypto Council’s CEO Bilal bin Saqib, this appointment reflects Pakistan’s broader goal of creating a clear regulatory framework for digital assets.
Saqib concluded it best when he said,
“Pakistan is done sitting on the sidelines. We want to attract international investment because Pakistan is a low-cost high-growth market with […] a Web3 native workforce ready to build.”
