Pakistan Launches Strategic Bitcoin Reserve After US Moves

Pakistan has announced its first government-backed Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, inspired by recent US policy changes under President Donald Trump, who signed an executive order for a similar reserve in March 2025. The initiative was unveiled at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas and marks a significant shift from Pakistan's previous anti-crypto stance. Pakistan plans to allocate 2,000 megawatts of electricity to support Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, aiming to attract global crypto miners and position itself as a digital innovation hub. The move also includes a deal with World Liberty Financial, a firm linked to the Trump family, highlighting efforts to strengthen ties with US-based crypto interests. This decision has sparked criticism due to Pakistan's ongoing electricity shortages, raising concerns about prioritizing bitcoin mining over essential services. Meanwhile, the US continues to expand its crypto regulatory framework, with President Trump backing the BITCOIN Act and stablecoin legislation, influencing international adoption trends.