Crypto Regulation in Pakistan

Restricted

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)
No specific crypto tax; general CGT rates (12.5-15%) could apply if formalized
Capital Gains (Corporate)
29% CIT (general)
VAT on Crypto
No
Staking Tax
Unclear - no specific guidance
Airdrop Tax
Unclear
Mining Tax
--

Licensing & Registration

License Required
No
Regulator
SBP / SECP (State Bank of Pakistan / Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan)
Framework
SBP has banned banks from facilitating crypto; SECP exploring digital asset regulation; caretaker government studied crypto framework in 2024
License Types
--
Estimated Cost (USD)
N/A - no licensing pathway
Timeline
N/A months
Ease of Licensing
Very Complex

AML / KYC

KYC Required
Yes
Travel Rule
No
FATF Member
--
FATF Status
--
Suspicious Activity Reporting
--

Mining

Mining Legal
Yes
Status
Restricted
Electricity Cost ($/kWh)
$0.09
Renewable Energy
20%
Climate
Hot
Infrastructure
Moderate
Tax on Mining Income
29% CIT (general)
Notes
Hot climate increases cooling costs for mining operations.

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

DeFi: restrictedStablecoins: restrictedNFTs: unregulatedCBDC: research - SBP studying CBDC feasibility

Soken Services

Legal Opinion
Available | $5,000 - $20,000 | 14 days
Banking
Difficulty: Very Hard | Crypto-friendly banks: none listed
Min. Deposit
$10,000
Fiat Rails
SWIFT
Card Payments
Visa, Mastercard

Sources

State Bank of Pakistan SECP
medium

Frequently Asked Questions

Is crypto legal in Pakistan?
Cryptocurrency is currently classified as "Restricted" in Pakistan.
What is the crypto tax rate in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the personal capital gains tax on crypto is No specific crypto tax; general CGT rates (12.5-15%) could apply if formalized, and the corporate tax rate is 29% CIT (general).
Do I need a crypto license in Pakistan?
No, Pakistan does not currently require a specific crypto license, though other financial regulations may apply.
Is crypto mining legal in Pakistan?
Yes, crypto mining is legal in Pakistan. Electricity costs approximately $0.09/kWh. Mining income is taxed at: 29% CIT (general). Hot climate increases cooling costs for mining operations.
What are the AML/KYC requirements for crypto in Pakistan?
Yes, crypto businesses in Pakistan must comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements.