Pakistan Crypto Regulation Breakthrough: Central Bank Lifts 8-Year Ban on VASP Bank Accounts

BitcoinWorld Pakistan Crypto Regulation Breakthrough: Central Bank Lifts 8-Year Ban on VASP Bank Accounts In a landmark regulatory shift, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has permitted Virtual Asset Service Providers to open formal bank accounts, effectively ending an eight-year prohibition that isolated the nation’s crypto sector from the traditional financial system. This pivotal decision, reported by Reuters in early 2025, represents a calculated move toward integrating digital assets into Pakistan’s economic framework while establishing crucial oversight mechanisms. Pakistan Crypto Regulation Enters a New Era The State Bank of Pakistan issued new guidelines that fundamentally alter the banking landscape for cryptocurrency businesses. Consequently, licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers can now establish banking relationships after presenting their government-issued VASP licenses f