ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government announced the creation of a Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA) to manage and support the growth of the virtual asset economy while following Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines.
According to the details, the Ministry of Finance shared that it is starting a plan to regulate digital assets and promote Pakistan’s virtual asset economy.
Based on suggestions from the Pakistan Cryptocurrency Council (PCC), the PDAA will oversee blockchain-based financial systems to ensure they meet FATF standards, support economic inclusion, and encourage responsible use of digital assets.
Finance Minister and PCC Chairman Muhammad Aurangzeb said, “Pakistan needs to regulate to stay ahead. The PDAA will create a framework that protects consumers, attracts global investment, and positions Pakistan as a leader in financial innovation.”
The PDAA will act as a regulatory body with the task of managing licensing, compliance, and innovation in the digital asset sector. It will oversee platforms like exchanges, custodians, wallets, tokenized platforms, stablecoins, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications under one clear framework.
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This decision puts Pakistan in line with countries like the UAE, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, which have set up regulators to support digital asset innovation while meeting global financial standards.
The PDAA is expected to regulate Pakistan’s informal crypto market, valued at over $25 billion, and support the tokenization of national assets and government debt. It will also provide clear rules for global and local investors and enable the use of surplus electricity for regulated Bitcoin mining.
The Authority aims to help young people and startups develop blockchain-based solutions. With the PDAA, Pakistan shows its goal to compete in the global digital economy, encouraging innovation and building trust with investors, entrepreneurs, and international partners.
Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council, a group formed recently to guide cryptocurrency businesses, said, “This is not just about crypto—it’s about shaping our financial future, improving access, and creating new export opportunities through tokenization, digital finance, and Web3 innovation.”
