Pakistan Targets Cryptocurrency Crime

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a dedicated unit to combat cybercrime and financial fraud involving cryptocurrencies.

According to a report published by Dawn on Tuesday, investigators will examine cases in which digital assets are used for criminal purposes. The Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) will remain responsible for regulating the country’s cryptocurrency market.

Muhammad Athar Waheed, director of the FIA’s Counter-Terrorism Wing, suggested that similar teams should also be established within other national institutions. These specialized units would allow authorities to respond more effectively to cryptocurrency-related crime.

Pakistan is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency markets. In December 2025, PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib said the country ranked third globally in terms of retail investor activity.

At the same event, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said that, thanks to new regulations and the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, Pakistan could become a global leader in the industry by 2030.

An increasing number of countries are establishing similar units in response to the growing scale of cybercrime and the rising complexity of scams involving digital assets. Traditional law enforcement agencies often lack the tools and specialist expertise needed to investigate such cases effectively.