Pakistan is considering a time-bound relief scheme for crypto users, aiming to encourage traders to shift their holdings onto regulated platforms. The proposal was discussed after Binance privately disclosed in a high-level meeting that Pakistanis trade more than $250 billion annually on the exchange. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and PVARA Chairman Bilal bin Saqib chaired the meeting, where Binance also revealed that 17.5 million Pakistanis are registered on the platform, collectively holding around $5 billion in crypto.
Officials reviewed how to integrate virtual assets into Pakistan’s financial system, including sovereign debt tokenisation, compliant blockchain-based instruments, and transitioning oversight to licensed exchanges. The discussions also covered taxation principles, a phased capital-gains structure, and the proposed amnesty to bring users into the regulated ecosystem. Binance representatives argued that crypto assets could strengthen Pakistan’s liquid money supply and reduce default risks through verifiable digital collateral.
Local banks voiced concerns about security, money-laundering risks, and compliance requirements. Binance responded that real-time reporting, SBP involvement, and transparent on-chain records could help mitigate these risks while enabling banks to lend against verified crypto holdings. The government reiterated its commitment to building a secure, well-regulated digital asset environment to modernise remittances, enhance financial inclusion, and support innovation across the economy.
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