Pakistan Bets Big on Digital Gold: 2,000 MW Reserved for Bitcoin and AI Boom
Pakistan just made a power play—literally. The government carved out a staggering 2,000 megawatts of electricity exclusively for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. That’s enough juice to power a small country—or fuel the next wave of speculative tech ventures.
Why the sudden surge? Officials claim it’s about positioning Pakistan as a digital frontier. Critics whisper it’s a desperate gamble to attract foreign capital after years of economic turbulence. Either way, miners and AI firms are salivating over subsidized energy rates—because nothing screams ’innovation’ like chasing cheap electricity.
Here’s the kicker: This move puts Pakistan in direct competition with crypto havens like Kazakhstan and Iran. But with blackouts still plaguing local households, expect backlash. After all, when your citizens sweat through daily load-shedding, prioritizing server farms over schools might raise eyebrows—even in the blockchain Wild West.
One thing’s certain: Wall Street won’t care. They’ll just see another emerging market betting the grid on digital pipe dreams. Place your bets.
Pakistan Eyes Billions in Investment from Bitcoin and AI Push
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the project is expected to bring billions in capital inflows and create high-skilled jobs nationwide.
He also confirmed that foreign companies have already begun exploring partnership opportunities, with several delegations visiting in recent months.
To support adoption, the Ministry of Finance has introduced tax incentives for AI firms and waived import duties for bitcoin mining hardware.
These benefits are part of a wider strategy to build confidence among investors and signal regulatory readiness.
Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, called the MOVE a “turning point” for the nation’s digital economy.
Saqib had earlier proposed the idea of utilizing untapped energy reserves for crypto mining during the Council’s March 21 meeting, attended by key regulators and government officials.
He said that with proper oversight, Pakistan could emerge as a regional hub for blockchain innovation and AI development.
The second phase of the plan involves integrating renewable energy into these operations, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Officials noted that this approach seeks to balance technological growth with environmental concerns.
As part of the broader overhaul, the government recently endorsed the creation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA).
This regulatory body will oversee licensing, tokenization of national assets, and the development of decentralized finance applications.
It will also play a central role in managing the monetization of excess electricity through regulated Bitcoin mining.
Pakistan currently ranks ninth globally in crypto adoption, according to Chainalysis, driven largely by retail usage.
Trump-Backed WLFI Signs LOI with Pakistan Crypto Council
Last month, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance (DeFi) project endorsed by the TRUMP family, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Pakistan Crypto Council to promote blockchain adoption and DeFi growth across Pakistan.
The agreement was formalized on April 26 during a high-level meeting between WLFI co-founders Zak Folkman, Zach Witkoff, and Chase Herro, alongside Pakistan’s Prime Minister and senior government officials.
The partnership aims to accelerate blockchain innovation by establishing regulatory sandboxes to test blockchain-based financial solutions.
Pakistan’s Finance Ministry is taking steps toward formal cryptocurrency regulation, which could significantly change the country’s historically cautious stance on digital assets.
The delegation included notable figures such as Gentry Beach Jr., a key investor who has pledged $1 billion in funding to Pakistan, along with tech entrepreneur Nikita Goldsmith, blockchain consultant Alex Malkov, and Cosmic Wire CEO Jerad Finck.
