Pakistan Passes Virtual Assets Act 2026 to Regulate Crypto Industry

Pakistan’s parliament has approved the Virtual Assets Act 2026, a major step toward establishing a formal regulatory framework for the country’s growing cryptocurrency sector.

Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to Oversee Digital Assets

The legislation officially designates the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority as the primary body responsible for supervising digital asset activities in the country. The regulator will enforce licensing requirements for digital asset service providers and monitor operations across the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib said;

The authority, which was initially formed in July 2025, will also implement compliance rules related to anti-money laundering policies and international sanctions standards. Officials say the framework aims to align Pakistan’s crypto regulations with global financial integrity practices.

Law Awaits Presidential Approval

Although the bill has already passed through both the Senate and the National Assembly, it must still receive final approval from President Asif Ali Zardari before it becomes law.

Pakistan began shifting toward a more supportive approach to digital assets in late 2024 when policymakers moved to regulate cryptocurrencies. Since then, the government has announced plans for a national Bitcoin reserve and allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity for cryptocurrency mining and artificial intelligence data centers.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.