Pakistan’s Crypto Minister Meets Trump’s Blockchain Team to Advance Bitcoin-Powered Infrastructure
In a landmark step toward international blockchain collaboration, Pakistan’s State Minister for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, recently held strategic discussions with Bo Hines, Executive Director of former President Donald Trump’s Council on Digital Assets, during a high-profile visit to the White House.
The meeting, aimed at strengthening U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in the digital finance sector, explored potential partnerships in Bitcoin-powered infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), and legal frameworks for blockchain governance.
Saqib emphasized Pakistan’s ambition to become a global hub for digital assets, citing the country’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and upcoming AI-powered data zones as pivotal initiatives. “We are building a roadmap to modernize Pakistan’s economy through digital asset infrastructure,” he said.
Energy Meets Innovation: Pakistan’s Bitcoin Mining Vision
A central focus of the discussion was Pakistan’s plan to repurpose 2,000 megawatts of surplus energy for Bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers. The initiative, according to Saqib, aims to convert idle energy capacity into economic growth, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment.
This bold energy strategy has drawn international attention—and scrutiny. On May 31, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised concerns about the energy allocation amid Pakistan’s ongoing financial program negotiations. The IMF questioned the legality and sustainability of using such power for crypto operations given the country’s longstanding energy shortages.
Building the Legal Backbone
In tandem with its mining initiatives, Pakistan is laying the groundwork for a full-fledged digital asset economy. The Ministry of Finance, as of May 21, has backed the establishment of the Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA)—a new regulatory agency tasked with licensing and overseeing exchanges, wallets, stablecoins, tokenized platforms, and DeFi projects.
Saqib also met separately with officials from the White House Counsel’s Office to deliberate on governance models for digital assets and compliance mechanisms that can guide Pakistan’s regulatory evolution.
Trump’s Team Signals Global Ambitions
Bo Hines, who was appointed by Donald Trump to spearhead U.S. digital asset policy, expressed interest in building stronger cross-border cooperation with Pakistan, especially as the Trump team looks to solidify America's leadership in blockchain innovation. Hines works closely with Council Chair David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor.
The high-level engagement between Islamabad and Washington signals a new geopolitical dimension to crypto policy—with Bitcoin infrastructure emerging as a tool of economic diplomacy.
As Pakistan pushes forward with its blockchain agenda, all eyes are now on how it balances innovation with energy realities—and how partnerships like these could reshape the future of crypto governance globally.