*Islamabad* – Pakistan has quietly emerged as a global crypto powerhouse.According to international blockchain reports, the country now ranks *8thworldwide in cryptocurrency adoption*, with citizens collectively holdingan estimated *$20–25 billion worth of digital assets* — a figure thatactually *surpasses Pakistan’s current foreign exchange reserves*.
Despite the *State Bank of Pakistan’s 2023 ban on cryptocurrency tradingand exchanges*, millions of Pakistanis have continued to invest throughpeer-to-peer platforms, decentralized finance (DeFi) networks, andinternational exchanges.
Industry estimates suggest that *over 25 million Pakistanis* — roughly 10%of the population — are actively engaged in crypto trading. Annual tradevolumes are believed to exceed *$300 billion*, highlighting the resilienceof the digital asset economy in the country.
Experts say this boom is driven by three key factors:
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*Inflation & currency depreciation* pushing people towards dollar-backed stablecoins. –
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*Global freelance and IT exports*, where payments often arrive in crypto. –
*Limited access to traditional banking* for a large part of the population.
However, analysts warn that the lack of regulation poses serious risks,including fraud, money laundering, and loss of investment due to scams.“The government needs to bring in a clear policy framework instead ofblanket bans,” said one fintech expert.
With Pakistan’s youth turning to crypto as a hedge against economicinstability, the debate continues: *Should Islamabad regulate and embracethe digital revolution — or keep fighting a losing battle against it?*