Pakistan has moved closer to formally regulating digital finance after the Senate’s Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat unanimously approved the Virtual Assets Bill 2025.
The proposed law aims to bring virtual assets into Pakistan’s official legal and regulatory framework. Its main objectives include improving investor protection, increasing transparency, and ensuring proper oversight of digital asset markets.
The bill provides for the creation of a dedicated regulatory authority to supervise Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). It introduces licensing requirements and compliance standards designed to reduce financial and operational risks associated with virtual asset transactions.
The approval came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee chaired by Rana Mahmood ul Hassan. After a detailed discussion, committee members described the legislation as an important step for Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the bill and explained its regulatory structure. He said the law would help align Pakistan’s digital asset regulations with emerging international standards in the field of digital finance.
During the same meeting, the committee also reviewed a briefing on a report by a United Nations fact-finding mission and concluded the discussion. Members further raised concerns regarding flood damage data in Sindh and Balochistan, calling for improved disaster-response coordination and better resource management.
If enacted, the Virtual Assets Bill 2025 would mark a significant shift in how Pakistan handles cryptocurrencies and other digital financial assets, bringing them under formal supervision for the first time.
