Pakistan’s Bold Move: Banks Greenlit to Trade Bitcoin in Major Crypto Adoption Push

Pakistan just flipped the script on traditional finance—banks are now cleared to buy and sell Bitcoin. No more back-alley crypto deals; the government's rolling out the red carpet for institutional adoption.

Breaking the banking blockade

Finally, a regulator that gets it. The State Bank of Pakistan isn't just dipping toes in crypto waters—they're cannonballing in. Local banks can now custody BTC, execute trades, and (gasp) actually serve crypto clients without fear of reprisal.

Why this changes everything

Forget peer-to-peer limbo. With licensed banks entering the fray, Pakistan's $350B economy could see its first legit Bitcoin liquidity pool. Remittances? Corporate treasuries? Suddenly they've got an on-ramp faster than a Karachi rickshaw.

The fine print that matters

No word yet on whether banks will charge their usual 'financial innovation fee' (read: 3% spread on every trade). But hey—progress beats perfection when you're leapfrogging decades of legacy finance.

Last line: Watch Western banks squirm as emerging markets eat their crypto lunch—again.

Pakistan will permit banks and financial institutions to buy and sell Bitcoin to accelerate cryptocurrency adoption nationwide. The State Bank of Pakistan will issue licenses under the new Virtual Assets Act, 2025, creating a regulatory framework for crypto trading. This policy aims to modernize the financial system, enhance transaction transparency, and expand digital asset access. Despite volatility concerns, officials highlight regulatory oversight and pilot CBDC programs as steps toward making Pakistan a regional digital finance leader.