PVARA Opens NOC Applications for Global Crypto Exchanges

Pakistan has taken a decisive step toward structured digital asset oversight as the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) officially opened applications for No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for crypto exchanges. The move represents the country’s most significant regulatory development yet and signals that Pakistan is transitioning from an informal, unregulated crypto environment toward a licensed and supervised digital asset ecosystem.

The announcement has been widely welcomed by the industry, as exchanges can now formally apply to operate under a compliant framework, something Pakistan has lacked for years. With clear licensing pathways finally emerging, the country may begin attracting both local and international crypto service providers, accelerating innovation across Crypto Pakistan and boosting investor protection.

At the recent BitcoinMENA conference, Pakistan’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) chairman Bilal Bin Saqib highlighted a much broader vision for the country’s digital future. Beyond basic regulation, he emphasized the importance of strategic adoption of Bitcoin and emerging technologies.

Bilal stressed that Pakistan should not limit itself to a passive regulatory stance but should actively explore Bitcoin mining and even consider establishing a national Bitcoin strategic reserve. In his words:

“If we want to enter a renaissance era, we must begin with a non-inflationary asset, and use it as a reserve.”

This perspective aligns with global macroeconomic trends, where Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a long-term store of value, a hedge against currency depreciation, and an asset class held by corporations and, slowly, governments.

The concept of a Bitcoin strategic reserve, if locally explored, could place Pakistan among the early movers in the region. Combined with regulated crypto exchanges, Pakistan would be able to capture domestic innovation, stop capital flight, and support a transparent digital financial system.

As regulatory clarity expands, Pakistan is positioned at the start of a transformative phase, one where Bitcoin in Pakistan and broader digital asset adoption may finally align with global standards. With PVARA’s licensing process now active and national-level conversations shifting toward Bitcoin mining and reserves, Pakistan could enter a new era of economic modernization led by blockchain and real-world asset tokenization.