Crypto’s rising popularity in Pakistan

• Fair Observer: The Raging Crypto Mania in Pakistan – Jun 2022
  Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining were flourishing in Pakistan until April 2018 when the government banned trading and mining the virtual currencies. There is still a growing mining industry despite the fact that many mining farms have been shut down since this ban was implemented. Yet recently, the adoption of cryptocurrencies has begun to gain traction again in the country.

   

• TheEconomicTimes: Pakistan plans crypto ban; industry players call it big mistake – Jan 2022
  Many Pakistanis think crypto is the solution to their financial woes. The country is facing high inflation, heavy debts, and low foreign reserves. Industry experts have given Pakistan’s plan to ban crypto a thumbs down as they believe that banning crypto is no solution and Pakistan is likely to make a big mistake. Vikas Ahuja, CEO of CrossTower India, said that cryptocurrency is more than just a currency. It is a new framework for finance and information.

   

• PYMNTS.com: Pakistan Eyes Own Crypto – April 2021
  The country is currently studying how to make way for its own digital currency in line with numerous others, including China. It wants to look at expanding banking facilities to help the underserved, along with making it easier to fight money laundering and terrorism financing, according to the report. In addition, a currency would help with one of the chief issues facing the Pakistan government by combatting corruption, the report stated.
• Reuters: Pakistani province plans to build pilot crypto currency mining farms – March 2021
  The Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is planning to build two hydroelectric-powered pilot “mining farms” to capitalise on a bullish global cryptocurrency market, a minister overseeing a new government crypto policy told Reuters on Wednesday. The announcement comes as cryptocurrencies are gaining mainstream acceptance, with Bitcoin’s price reaching record levels as investors such as Elon Musk pour funds into it, and the first big U.S. bank, Morgan Stanley, offering its wealth management clients access to bitcoin funds.