LAS VEGAS / ISLAMABAD, USA / PAKISTAN — Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib has announced the launch of the country’s first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s push towards embracing digital assets and blockchain technology.

Saqib, recently appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Crypto and Blockchain with the status of a minister of state, revealed the reserve during his keynote address at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, held in Las Vegas. His speech was attended by prominent figures, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.

“Pakistan is no longer defined by its past. It is being reborn as a forward-looking hub of digital innovation — powered by its youth, sharpened by necessity, and led by a new generation of tech statesmen,” Saqib stated. “I’m not just here as a minister, I’m here as the voice of a generation — a generation that is online, on-chain, and unstoppable.”

The newly established national bitcoin wallet will hold digital assets already in state custody, not for sale or speculation, but as a sovereign reserve symbolising Pakistan’s long-term belief in decentralised finance.

Saqib also expressed gratitude towards Donald Trump for his role as a peacemaker in the recent India-Pakistan conflict and his commitment to advancing crypto adoption.

Highlighting Pakistan’s crypto potential, Saqib announced the government has allocated 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity in the first phase to support bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. This initiative aims to attract sovereign miners, technology firms, and clean energy partners worldwide.

The statement accompanying Saqib’s speech noted that Pakistan’s crypto ecosystem boasts over 40 million crypto wallets and one of the largest, most active freelancer economies globally.

Saqib is also leading the creation of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), a regulatory body designed to empower developers, protect investors, and establish comprehensive frameworks for digital finance’s future.

“Both Pakistan and Bitcoin have suffered from bad PR,” Saqib said. “But if you look past the headlines, you’ll see something else: talent, resilience, and vision.”

He invited global crypto innovators to invest in Pakistan, urging them to build wallets for the unbanked, tokenise land, and grow their ventures alongside Pakistan’s youthful and determined population.

Saqib’s keynote laid out a “blueprint for the future of emerging markets in Web3,” positioning Pakistan as a tech-forward, youth-powered, and opportunity-rich nation ready to lead.

Earlier this year, the government announced plans to establish a National Crypto Council to align digital currency adoption with global standards. Saqib was appointed chief adviser to the finance minister on the PCC in March before becoming its CEO.

His responsibilities include developing a FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets, launching bitcoin mining projects, integrating blockchain technology into governance, finance, and land records, and overseeing licensing and regulation of virtual asset service providers (VASPs). He is also tasked with championing investor protection and expanding Pakistan’s Web3 ecosystem.

According to the Finance Division, the government’s allocation of 2,000 MW of electricity aims to monetise surplus energy, create high-tech jobs, attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment, and generate significant revenue for the country.

This ambitious initiative reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to harnessing the economic and technological opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving digital assets sector.