Pakistan accelerates crypto diplomacy with high-level US talks

"My wish is for Pakistan to become a leader in digital assets within the Global South," said Bilal Bin Saqib

In a game-changing step for Pakistan’s emerging digital economy, the Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal bin Saqib held a meeting with Robert Bo Hines, the Executive Director of the White House Council on Digital Assets and a prominent advisor to the President Donald Trump. The high-level meeting focused on promoting the bilateral cooperation in digital assets, Bitcoin strategy, and the decentralized infrastructure of blockchain technology.

The meeting comes on the heels of Pakistan’s participation in the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, where the government announced the formation of its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) — a pioneering move in South Asia’s crypto space. With this initiative, Pakistan has joined the ranks of nations incorporating Bitcoin into state-level financial strategy.

Robert Bo Hines, who assumed his role in January 2025 under President Trump’s renewed digital finance agenda, plays a pivotal role in shaping the US policies on cryptocurrency regulation, blockchain innovation, and digital financial infrastructure. Working alongside Council Chairman David Sacks, he is steering the US toward global leadership in the blockchain sector.

During their meeting at the White House, Bilal bin Saqib stressed Pakistan’s ambitions to lead the Global South in digital finance. “We are not just experimenting; we’re investing deeply in blockchain, strategic reserves, and AI-integrated data zones,” he stated. “This is a generational pivot toward sustainable digital economic empowerment.”

He added that Pakistan has already opened its infrastructure for national-level crypto mining and AI-driven data processing, powered by 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity, a move aimed at turning excess energy into economic growth and innovation.

The two sides discussed pathways to harmonize the regulatory frameworks, promote cross-border digital asset investments, and explore youth-focused initiatives that strengthens economic inclusion through blockchain. The meeting also touched on joint policy development and capacity-building in emerging financial technologies.

Minister Saqib also held consultations with the White House Office of Legal Counsel to deliberate on international standards for decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized governance systems.

The meeting is seen as a transformative diplomatic and economic milestone for Pakistan’s tech diplomacy, as it heralds a shift from passive regulation to proactive participation in the global crypto and AI economies. With the establishment of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the increasing international partnerships, Pakistan is elevating its stature as a key player in the next wave of digital transformation.