{"id":14431,"date":"2025-07-27T07:50:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T05:50:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/?p=14431"},"modified":"2025-07-27T07:50:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T05:50:32","slug":"young-innovators-in-pakistan-embrace-bitcoin-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wsj-crypto.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/27\/young-innovators-in-pakistan-embrace-bitcoin-revolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Innovators in Pakistan Embrace Bitcoin Revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The demographics of Pakistan position the nation as a significant driver for Bitcoin (BTC<\/a>) assimilation, enabling it to “leapfrog” established countries, as stated by Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan\u2019s state minister for crypto and blockchain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a global policy transformation, not only in Pakistan but globally,\u201d Bin Saqib mentioned in an exclusive discussion with Cointelegraph. The government of Pakistan took steps to regulate crypto<\/a> in November 2024.<\/p>\n

The country has 40 million crypto wallets and ranks among the \u201ctop five\u201d nations in crypto assimilation, which the minister credited to Pakistan\u2019s youthful population. He shared with Cointelegraph:<\/p>\n

\u201cPakistan’s median age stands at 20. We boast a population of 250 million, with 70% under 30. If the youth of Pakistan formed a separate nation, it would rank as the ninth or tenth most populous globally.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The median age in Pakistan is approximately 20.6 years, highlighting a relatively young demographic. Source: <\/em>Worldometer<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nmore inclined to embrace Bitcoin<\/a> due to their agile size, which allows them to outpace developed nations. \u201cIt’s simpler to maneuver a speedboat than to turn the Titanic,\u201d Bin Saqib elaborated.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Pakistan initiates regulatory body for the cryptocurrency sector<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Collaborative agreement with El Salvador for Bitcoin innovation<\/h2>\n

Pakistan and El Salvador formalized a letter of intent<\/a> in July to exchange knowledge and education regarding Bitcoin, digital asset infrastructure, and energy advancements for crypto mining, as stated by the minister.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis collaboration fundamentally highlights how emerging economies under the IMF framework can utilize technology and diverse financial mechanisms for national advancement,\u201d he shared with Cointelegraph.<\/p>\n

\"Pakistan,
Pakistan\u2019s state minister for crypto and blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, depicted left, alongside El Salvador\u2019s president Nayib Bukele illustrated right, engaging in discussions about Bitcoin strategy and partnership. Source: <\/em>Bilal Bin Saqib<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pakistan\u2019s National Crypto Council<\/a> and various regulatory entities are actively seeking insights on a thorough regulatory structure for digital assets, permitting crypto exchanges, establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve<\/a>, introducing a stablecoin, and utilizing abundant energy for Bitcoin mining, as remarked by the minister.<\/p>\n

Bitcoin mining utilizing surplus and runoff energy sources<\/h2>\n

\u201cPakistan faces a rather intriguing dilemma. We possess excess electricity, for which we incur capacity charges,\u201d the minister informed Cointelegraph.<\/p>\n

He stated that the nation has access to up to 10,000 megawatts (MW) of surplus energy<\/a>, which becomes a \u201cburden\u201d due to the associated carrying costs of the electricity.<\/p>\n

\"Pakistan,
Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan\u2019s crypto chief, visits a hybrid energy facility in El Salvador. Source:<\/em> Josue Lopez<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bin Saqib mentioned that the nation is allocating 2,000 MW for Bitcoin mining<\/a> and AI data hubs. The government is also investigating the feasibility of mining BTC using runoff energy from methane<\/a> and other surplus or stranded energy sources, he added.<\/p>\n

Magazine: <\/strong><\/em>Pakistan will utilize Bitcoin reserves in DeFi for yield, states Bilal Bin Saqib<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n