Pakistan regulators have suggested a regulatory framework for digital compliance -focused assets, in accordance with policies laid out by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Supranational Organization Polices Finance for Money Laundering, the Express Tribune reported.
According to In the report, the Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan (FIA) introduced the regulatory framework to address terrorism financing, money laundering provisions, and know your customer’s (KYC) controls (KYC) implemented by the Supranational Organization. The report mentioned FIA director Sumera Azam saying:
“This is a paradigma shift in how Pakistan views digital finances. The policy proposal aims to strike a historical balance between the advancing technology and national security imperials.”
The suggested framework is subject to legislation and input approval from digital asset companies operating in the country, with a multi-phased rollout starting starting in 2026.
Pakistan regulators recently led by a pivot regulation that embraced cryptocurrencies after being clearly anti-crypto for many years. The government’s anti-crypto stance hit a Crescendo in 2023 when Pakistani officials called for a whole country banning digital assets.
Appointments to Pakistan Crypto Council. Source: Bin-Saqib. Source: Bill bin-SAUTH
Related: Pakistan eye crypto legal plot to boost foreign investment
Pakistan embraces the future of money in the regulation shift
In May 2023, a former state minister for finance and income said, Aisha Ghaus Pasha said that Pakistan will never make cryptocurrencies legal Due to the potential for digital assets to prevent fatf regulations.
Less than two years later in February 2025 The Pakistan financial ministry has signed a seismic regulatory shift of Constitutes Pakistan Crypto Council To promote clear crypto regulations in the country and attract foreign investment.
“Pakistan is a low cost, high market growth, with 60% of the population under 30. We have a web3 native worker who is ready to build,” said the CEO of Pakistan Crypto Council Bilal bin Saqib on a March 20 x x Post.
Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao is meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Source: Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Council is exploring using Excessive energy in the mine of Bitcoin (Btc) as part of a broader effort to make an international hub for crypto mining.
On April 7, the council Designated Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao As a crypto advisor to guide the efforts of the organization’s policy.
