Pakistan Opens Doors: Global Crypto Exchanges Invited to Apply for Operating Licenses

Pakistan rolls out the red carpet for crypto giants—licensing applications now open worldwide.

Regulatory Shift

Islamabad's move signals a seismic policy reversal, positioning Pakistan as an unexpected contender in the digital asset arena. The invitation extends to all major international exchanges, bypassing previous restrictions that kept crypto operations largely informal.

Market Implications

This regulatory green light could unlock access for millions of potential users—finally giving traditional finance a run for its money (which they’ll probably still manage to overcharge for).

Global crypto players now face a simple choice: dive into Pakistan’s emerging market or watch competitors seize the first-mover advantage.

Pakistan’s broader push for crypto

Pakistan has been making a series of bold moves to establish a stronger foothold in the global crypto landscape, signaling that its ambitions go well beyond exchange licensing.

The government is planning a sovereign Bitcoin reserve, as announced earlier in May by Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the recently established Pakistan Crypto Council. To shape the effort, the nation has sought expert input from industry veterans such as Michael Saylor of Strategy. Officials say the reserve will be funded with Bitcoin already held or seized by the state, positioning the country to hold digital assets at the national level.

The country has also forged a crypto-focused partnership with El Salvador, signing a memorandum of understanding to share expertise on sovereign bitcoin reserves, mining operations, and blockchain policy frameworks. Pakistani delegates recently met with El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office to discuss laying the groundwork for joint research projects and technical training programs aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s own crypto infrastructure.

Another key focus for the government is mining. According to Pakistan’s energy planners, the country plans to dedicate 2,000 megawatts of electricity to Bitcoin mining farms and AI data centers to support large-scale operations. Officials say the initiative will channel underutilized capacity from hydro and solar projects into purpose-built facilities, creating new revenue streams while stabilizing the national grid.

These initiatives highlight Pakistan’s intent to integrate cryptocurrency into its digital economy and strengthen its role in the global crypto market.