Key Takeaways Bo Hines and Bilal Bin Saqib met at the White House to discuss strategic cooperation on Bitcoin and digital assets. Pakistan plans to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve and dedicate resources to Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. Share this article Bo Hines, President Trump’s chief crypto advisor, hosted Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), at the White House this week to explore strategic partnerships on Bitcoin and digital assets, according to a Wednesday announcement from the PCC’s official X account. “The meeting highlights Pakistan’s expanding influence in shaping digital asset policy in emerging markets and its dedication to fostering international collaborations that promote crypto and blockchain adoption, ” the council stated. “I envision Pakistan as a leader in Digital Assets among the Global South, ” Saqib said in a statement covered by Dawn. “By launching our Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and unlocking national-level infrastructure for crypto mining and AI data zones, Pakistan is establishing a concrete framework for digital asset adoption and economic modernization. ” In a joint statement, U. S. and Pakistani officials stressed mutual interest in deepening cooperation on crypto policy, blockchain innovation, and fintech development. Discussions also focused on building blockchain-centric innovation ecosystems to empower youth and broaden access to financial services.

The parties considered approaches to enhance economic inclusion through digital infrastructure and education. Saqib also held a separate meeting with the White House Counsel’s Office, according to the report. Last week, at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, Saqib revealed Pakistan’s plan to create a government-led strategic Bitcoin reserve, aligning closely with President Trump’s directive to develop a national Bitcoin reserve in the United States. The objective, according to Saqib, is to maintain a Bitcoin wallet for long-term holding without selling the asset. Pakistan also aims to allocate 2, 000 megawatts of power for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers, pursue tokenization of illiquid assets, and improve government efficiency using blockchain technology. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concerns about Pakistan’s Bitcoin mining and AI data center initiatives, citing risks related to energy shortages, fiscal challenges, and potential impacts on electricity tariffs. The IMF, which was not consulted in advance, has requested urgent clarification from Pakistan’s Finance Ministry. Pakistan’s Bitcoin reserve plan could strain its relationship with the IMF, as the organization has consistently cautioned developing countries against adopting crypto as a national reserve or legal tender. The most prominent example is El Salvador, whose Bitcoin policy led to tensions with the IMF. El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, ultimately agreed with the IMF on a more traditional fiscal framework and enhanced monetary transparency to advance negotiations for a $1. 4 billion loan. While the government did not fully repeal its Bitcoin law, it significantly reduced public endorsement, removed Bitcoin’s mandatory legal tender status, and made Bitcoin acceptance voluntary for businesses. Despite the accord with the IMF, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele asserted the government did not abandon its Bitcoin accumulation strategy. The official public wallet reportedly continued to receive one Bitcoin daily, according to Arkham Intelligence data. However, many in the crypto community remain skeptical whether these Bitcoins were actually purchased or simply transferred from other government-controlled wallets, potentially from Bitcoin mined locally or obtained via undisclosed methods.