Pakistan enacts virtual assets act to regulate digital assets
The Government of Pakistan has formally enacted the Virtual Assets Act, 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for digital assets and introducing a dedicated authority to oversee their compliance with both international standards and Islamic finance principles.
The law establishes the "Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA)," an autonomous federal body empowered to license, regulate, and supervise all virtual asset service providers operating within or from Pakistan. The move follows approvals by the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and President Asif Ali Zardari, according to a press release from the office of the special assistant to the prime minister on blockchain and crypto.
PVARA will be responsible for ensuring transparency, financial integrity, and the prevention of illicit activity in the digital asset space. It will align its operations with international standards, including those set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
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Muhammad Ali Bandial