PakistanAbout
The Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) is a government-backed body set up to shape policy on crypto, blockchain and digital assets. It was launched on 14 March 2025 under the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was named its chair and Bilal Bin Saqib its chief executive.
Its board was set up to include the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and the federal law and IT secretaries. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao was named a strategic adviser in April 2025. Its stated priorities were drafting regulatory guidelines, engaging international crypto bodies and promoting responsible innovation.
In May 2025 the PCC announced a government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. In June 2025 it set up a technical committee with the central bank, the securities regulator and the law and IT divisions to draft a national framework for virtual assets. The ordinance creating PVARA as a dedicated regulator followed in July 2025, and the Virtual Assets Act in March 2026. The PCC's old website, pcc.gov.pk, now redirects to PVARA.
Policy engagement
Set up in March 2025 to build a legal framework for crypto; introduced a policy framework aligned with FATF guidelines in April 2025 and worked with the government on creating PVARA.
Key actions
Moved to build direct collaboration with the New York Crypto Council on knowledge-sharing and regulatory compliance.
SourceAgreed to form a technical committee with the SBP, SECP, Law Division and IT Division to draft a regulatory framework for digital and virtual assets.
SourceAnnounced Pakistan's first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas.
SourceLaunched under the Ministry of Finance, with the Finance Minister as chair and a board including the SBP Governor and SECP Chairman.
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