Pakistan steps up crypto enforcement with dedicated federal unitA senior official with Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency reportedly recommended other agencies establish similar units to address crypto-related crime.

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has created a dedicated investigative unit focused on probing cybercrime and financial fraud cases linked to cryptocurrency. The new crypto investigation unit will specifically handle crimes involving the use of digital assets. Meanwhile, the country’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) remains responsible for overseeing digital asset regulation. Muhammad Athar Waheed, the director of the FIA’s Counter-Terrorism Wing, suggested that other agencies in Pakistan should also form similar units to tackle crypto-related crimes more broadly.

This development comes after PVARA was established in July 2025, marking a significant step in Pakistan’s crypto regulatory framework. PVARA has already granted licenses to major crypto exchanges such as Binance and HTX, indicating growing official acceptance of cryptocurrency businesses. In December 2025, Bilal Bin Saqib, PVARA’s chair, stated that Pakistan ranked as the world’s third-largest crypto market by retail activity. At the same event, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao remarked that Pakistan’s combination of regulation and adoption could position it as a global leader in crypto by 2030.

While Cointelegraph sought comment from FIA regarding the new crypto crime unit, no immediate response was provided. This establishment of a specialized law enforcement unit underscores Pakistan’s increasing focus on addressing the risks and illicit activity associated with the expanding crypto sector. Cointelegraph notes that this news was produced under their editorial policy to ensure accuracy and prompt reporting, encouraging readers to verify details independently.