History of Cryptocurrency in Pakistan – From Bans to Adoption

Introduction

Cryptocurrency in Pakistan has followed a tumultuous journey — from outright bans by regulators to becoming one of the top 10 countries in global adoption rankings. This history is vital to understanding why the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) was created and how it shapes the future of digital assets in the country.

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The Early Years – Bitcoin Enters Pakistan (2010–2015)

Bitcoin first appeared in Pakistan around 2010–2011, mostly through online forums and early adopters.
At this stage, crypto was seen as a niche technology used by a small group of tech enthusiasts and freelancers.
No official regulations existed, and usage remained underground.

Crackdowns and Bans – The Regulatory Backlash (2016–2018)

As crypto trading volumes grew, concerns over money laundering and fraud led regulators to take action.
In 2018, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued a circular banning banks and financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrencies.
SECP (Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan) also issued public warnings against investing in unlicensed crypto platforms.
Despite this, P2P trading on platforms like LocalBitcoins and Binance continued to rise.

Court Cases and Legal Ambiguity (2019–2020)

Crypto users and exchanges filed petitions in Pakistani courts, seeking clarity on whether owning or trading crypto was illegal.
The courts did not criminalize personal ownership but left the regulatory status in limbo.
During this period, scams and Ponzi schemes increased, leading to widespread fear but also highlighting the need for regulation.

The Rise of Adoption – Pakistan Among Top 10 Global Users (2020–2022)

With high inflation and currency depreciation, many Pakistanis turned to Bitcoin and stablecoins as a hedge.
Reports from Chainalysis ranked Pakistan among the top 10 countries in crypto adoption.
Freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and overseas Pakistanis increasingly adopted USDT (Tether), Bitcoin, and Ethereum for payments and remittances.

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Government Engagement – Toward Regulation (2022–2024)

Growing adoption and international FATF compliance pressure pushed the government to consider formal regulation.
SECP began studying frameworks for regulating crypto exchanges and investor protection.
The debate around Islamic finance and Shariah compliance also grew louder, with scholars divided on whether crypto trading was halal or haram.
Pilot blockchain projects in supply chain and land registries showed government interest in blockchain beyond just crypto.

Establishment of the Pakistan Crypto Council (2025)

In March 2025, the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) was launched under the Ministry of Finance.
PCC’s role is to:
- Draft clear regulations for cryptocurrencies and virtual assets.
- Protect investors from scams.
- Promote blockchain innovation across industries.
- Ensure compliance with FATF standards.

From Ban to Future Opportunity

The history of crypto in Pakistan illustrates a shift:

From regulatory hostility to pragmatic regulation.
From underground trading to mainstream adoption.
From confusion to the beginnings of policy clarity.

Today, Pakistan’s challenge is to balance innovation, compliance, and consumer protection — a challenge that the Pakistan Crypto Council is designed to address.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s crypto journey is a story of resilience and transformation. Despite early bans and uncertainty, millions of Pakistanis embraced cryptocurrencies for investment, remittances, and business. Now, with the PCC in place, Pakistan has the chance to transform its crypto future from informal adoption to a regulated, globally competitive ecosystem.

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