Pakistan and El Salvador announce Crypto-Driven trade partnership

Pakistan and El Salvador have taken a historic step by officially establishing crypto-based bilateral relations for the first time.

Bilal Bin Saqib, Chief Executive of the Pakistan Crypto Council and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Crypto and Blockchain, is spearheading the initiative. During a high-level meeting in El Salvador, Saqib met with President Nayib Bukele—the global face of national-level crypto adoption—to launch a knowledge-sharing partnership.

Pakistan is cautiously exploring the digital asset space while managing a strict $7 billion IMF loan program that runs until 2027. Despite the IMF’s skepticism toward crypto investments, both Pakistan and El Salvador are actively pursuing parallel ambitions in the blockchain sector as they move forward with the new alliance.

Bukele’s Bitcoin Model Influences Pakistan’s Digital Asset Plan:

El Salvador made history in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, boldly defying IMF’s pushback. By July 2025, the country had acquired 6,238 BTC—worth approximately $745 million—even after agreeing to limit further crypto purchases under IMF pressure.

Pakistan now appears to be drawing inspiration from El Salvador. Bilal Bin Saqib revealed that 15 to 20 million Pakistanis already own cryptocurrency, despite repeated warnings from the State Bank of Pakistan. In response to this widespread adoption, the government has decided to step in and begin regulating and formalizing the industry.

Pakistan Plans National Bitcoin Reserve and Mining Infrastructure:

Pakistan has allocated 2,000 megawatts of energy for Bitcoin mining, demonstrating strong state-level support for the initiative. The government also plans to build a national Bitcoin reserve, taking inspiration from executive-level crypto interest shown by international allies.

In May, Pakistan established the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority to regulate digital assets, cryptocurrency exchanges, and blockchain use cases. Shortly after, the government signed a letter of intent with World Liberty Financial—a firm linked to the Trump family—signaling growing foreign interest in Pakistan’s blockchain ecosystem.

What the Pakistan-El–El Salvador Partnership Means for the Future of Crypto:

Pakistan is making a bold pivot toward cryptocurrency, marking a significant shift in its geopolitical and economic strategy. As both Pakistan and El Salvador operate under IMF programs, their growing crypto alliance signals a potential broader movement among developing nations seeking digital sovereignty.

By aligning with El Salvador, Pakistan positions itself as a future crypto hub in South Asia and begins laying the foundation for formal recognition and global partnerships in the digital asset space.

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