Pakistan is exploring both a rupee-backed stablecoin and a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to boost financial inclusion and digital innovation. Pakistan Banks Association President Zafar Masud estimates that regulated crypto integration could bring $20–25 billion in economic growth.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is developing a CBDC prototype with support from the World Bank and IMF, with a pilot phase planned soon. Officials believe a rupee-backed stablecoin could lower remittance costs and expand access to digital payments nationwide.

Pakistan recently ranked third in the Chainalysis 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index and introduced the Virtual Assets Ordinance 2025, establishing the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) to license and regulate crypto platforms, signaling a strong commitment to digital finance.