Pakistan is moving fast on crypto.The Virtual Assets Act 2026 is now live. PVARA has opened the licensing portal, and existing crypto firms have until 5 September to apply for a No-Objection Certificate or stop operating. The rules cover exchanges, custody, derivatives, mining and token issuance.
Banks can once again serve licensed virtual-asset companies after the central bank lifted an eight-year restriction. The whole regulatory framework was built in under six months and used only 8% of its approved budget — a point highlighted today by Minister Bilal Bin Saqib at Bitcoin Asia.
Pakistan already ranks among the world’s top crypto-adopting countries and is openly inviting global firms to get licensed and set up operations. A clear shift from the old grey-zone era toward a regulated market.
Banks can once again serve licensed virtual-asset companies after the central bank lifted an eight-year restriction. The whole regulatory framework was built in under six months and used only 8% of its approved budget — a point highlighted today by Minister Bilal Bin Saqib at Bitcoin Asia.
Pakistan already ranks among the world’s top crypto-adopting countries and is openly inviting global firms to get licensed and set up operations. A clear shift from the old grey-zone era toward a regulated market.
