Pakistan to Establish a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, Allocate 2000 Megawatts of Energy for Crypto Mining
Pakistan Unveils Ambitious Bitcoin Strategy at Bitcoin 2025
At Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Blockchain and Crypto, Bilal Bin Saqib, announced a significant shift in the nation’s approach to cryptocurrency, outlining plans for a strategic bitcoin reserve and the allocation of substantial resources to support bitcoin mining. This bold initiative draws inspiration from a similar, albeit nascent, plan proposed by the U.S. Trump administration, which intends to utilize seized bitcoins from criminal and civil forfeitures, estimated at around 200,000 BTC, to establish its own reserve.
Saqib emphasized that Pakistan’s strategic bitcoin reserve, mirroring the U.S. model, will not be used for speculative trading. He declared, “This wallet, the national bitcoin wallet, is not for speculation or hype. We will be holding these bitcoins and we will never, ever sell them.” This commitment to long-term holding underscores the government’s belief in bitcoin’s long-term value and its potential as a strategic asset.
Beyond the reserve, Pakistan is making a significant investment in bitcoin mining infrastructure. The government has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity to power bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers. Saqib extended an open invitation to miners and infrastructure providers, stating, “We want to welcome all miners to come to Pakistan, all the infrastructure players to come to Pakistan and build with us.”
This initiative is driven by a desire to address financial inclusion within Pakistan’s population. Saqib highlighted the large unbanked population, stating, “We have over 100 million unbanked people. They lack tools for saving, for investment, and we want to change that. We want them to break their economic classes. And I really believe that crypto and blockchain can help us take that quantum leap.”
The government’s vision extends beyond bitcoin mining and reserves. They intend to explore the use of blockchain technology for tokenizing illiquid assets and implementing digital identity solutions. Saqib concluded by expressing Pakistan’s eagerness to collaborate with international partners, stating, “Pakistan is looking for allies. Pakistan is looking for access, because Pakistan wants to build.” The announcement marks a significant turning point for Pakistan’s engagement with the cryptocurrency industry, positioning it as a proactive player in the global crypto landscape. The country’s close observation of the U.S.’s GENIUS Act further indicates its commitment to developing a comprehensive and supportive regulatory framework for the crypto sector.
