Pakistan's crypto minister Bilal Bin Saqib meets dozens of US officials
Minister of State for Crypto, Blockchain and CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council Bilal Bin Saqib
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Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib met with over a dozen key US government officials and lawmakers this week in Washington to strengthen cooperation in the areas of digital assets, blockchain regulation and financial innovation.
The SAPM met with Senator Cynthia Lummis, co-author of the Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act and co-sponsor of the Bitcoin Act, which seeks to designate Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset. Senator Lummis has been a leading advocate for thoughtful and comprehensive crypto legislation in the US.
He also met with Senator Bill Hagerty, a member of the Senate Banking Committee and supporter of a pro-innovation regulatory environment, and with Senator Rick Scott, who has consistently emphasised economic security and financial stability.
Additionally, he also met with senators Tim Sheehy and Jim Justice, the latter also a co-sponsor of the Bitcoin Act and a strong supporter of blockchain applications in government and infrastructure.
Meetings also included Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Troy Downing, a member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Congressman Ryan Zinke, Congressman Rick McCormick, and Congressman Derrick Van Orden — all of whom are actively engaged in shaping policy frameworks related to emerging technologies.
Jill Kelley, founder of blockchain identity platform EdentifID, participated in discussions alongside Congressman McCormick, bringing perspectives from the private tech sector.
He also met with White House Associate Counsel Kevin Cline and Associate Counsel Ugonna Eze of the White House Counsel's Office.
'We came to learn, to listen, and to contribute,' said Bilal bin Saqib. 'Pakistan is actively studying how global leaders are approaching regulation, innovation, and financial inclusion — not to copy, but to adapt the best ideas for our unique landscape.'
The visit also served to share Pakistan's initiatives — including the recent announcement of its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, efforts to build a virtual asset regulatory framework, and the use of stablecoins to improve remittances and expand financial access.
The exchanges highlighted the need for closer global coordination and the role emerging markets like Pakistan can play in shaping the next chapter of the digital economy.
'To sit at the table with those writing the future of finance is a responsibility and a signal: Pakistan is not waiting to catch up — we are here to lead,' said Saqib. 'From Capitol Hill to the White House, I shared a new face of Pakistan — one driven by its youth, powered by innovation, and ready to build global alliances for digital progress.'
With one of the world's youngest populations, a thriving freelance economy, and over $36 billion in annual remittances, Pakistan is uniquely positioned to become a testbed for responsible innovation, grounded in transparency, accessibility, and long-term impact.
Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked the Pakistani government for an explanation regarding the allocation of 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres without consulting the IMF.
IMF officials plan to discuss the issue with the government in a virtual meeting and questioned how the allocation was made without clarifying the legal status of cryptocurrency.
The IMF emphasised that decisions should be made within the framework of its programme after mutual consultation.
The government is expected to face tough questions during talks on the new fiscal budget, with both sides agreeing to hold virtual consultations.
Last week, the Ministry of Finance reported that Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres as part of a national initiative to make Pakistan a leader in digital innovation.
Read more: IMF seeks explanation on Bitcoin, AI initiatives
This initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), aims to use excess electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment. The allocation marks the first phase of a broader digital infrastructure rollout.
Future developments are expected to include renewable energy-powered facilities, global partnerships with blockchain and AI firms, and the establishment of fintech and innovation hubs.
On the other hand, the federal government and the central bank reiterated on Thursday that the use of cryptocurrencies was illegal and anyone dealing in these currencies was liable to be investigated by the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The statements were made by Federal Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Executive Director Sohail Jawad during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance.
Read more: Crypto currencies' use is illegal, National Assembly told
The development also came a day after the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on crypto and blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, made a pitch for the promotion of cryptocurrencies during his visit to the United States.
Crypto is not a legal currency in Pakistan, said Bosal. He recommended that the committee invite the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) for further briefing. SAPM Bilal Bin Saqib is also the chief executive officer of the PCC.
"The work on the crypto currencies is at a very, very preliminary stage and whenever the government decides to take it further, we would recommend to first have a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for it," Bosal said, adding that so far, there was no such framework.
Sitting on the committee, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Sharmila Faruqi raised the issue of the contradictory policy statements by the government about the promotion of cryptocurrencies in Pakistan.
"There seems to be no legal framework for the cryptocurrencies even though Pakistan has recently come out of the Financial Action Task Force [FATF] grey list," she said.
In reply, Jawad hoped that the PCC would involve other stakeholders to agree on a robust legal and regulatory framework.
Whereas the finance secretary was telling the National Assembly committee that the use of cryptocurrencies was illegal in Pakistan, his ministry was promoting these new currencies through a different set of announcements, at least two of them coming out this week.
Jawad, the SBP executive director, said that in 2018, the central bank had issued instructions to its regulated entities. "Under these instructions that are still valid, the trading and holding of the crypto currencies is illegal, and these entities are bound to report such cases to the FMU for ongoing investigation by the FIA", he said.
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Listen to article Pakistan's Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib met with top US officials and lawmakers this week in Washington DC to strengthen cooperation in digital assets, blockchain regulation and financial innovation. The minister held discussions with Senator Cynthia Lummis, a key architect of US crypto legislation, along with Senators Bill Hagerty, Rick Scott, Tim Sheehy and Jim Justice, all known advocates for blockchain innovation. He also engaged in deliberations with members of the House Financial Services Committee and White House advisers, according to a news release issued on Friday. "Pakistan is not waiting to catch up; we are here to lead," Bilal remarked. "From Capitol Hill to the White House, I shared a new face of Pakistan: one driven by youth, innovation and global partnerships." The talks focused on Pakistan's recent initiatives, including plans for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a virtual asset regulatory framework and stablecoin adoption to streamline remittances. With $36 billion in annual remittances and a booming freelance sector, Pakistan aims to become a hub for responsible digital finance. "We came to learn, listen and contribute," Bilal added. "Our goal is to adopt the best global ideas for Pakistan's unique needs." The crypto minister's visit signals Pakistan's push to shape the digital economy alongside major players, leveraging its young population and tech potential. In a meeting with US President Donald Trump's Council of Advisers on Digital Assets Executive Director Robert Bo Hines at the White House earlier this week, the state minister discussed the strategic alignment of digital assets, bitcoin integration and the future of decentralised infrastructure. Both sides expressed shared interest in fostering collaboration between the US and Pakistan on digital asset innovation, regulatory coherence and emerging financial technologies. They also deliberated on ways to support innovation ecosystems that empower youth and accelerate economic inclusion through blockchain. Bo Hines leads policy development on digital asset innovation, regulation and emerging financial technologies.
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