What to know:
- Pakistan’s FIA launched a cryptocurrency investigation unit targeting money laundering and crypto-related financial crimes.
- New FIA unit strengthens Pakistan’s crypto enforcement alongside its expanding regulatory framework.
- Pakistan continues advancing crypto adoption through exchange licensing and tokenized asset initiatives.
Pakistan has developed a cryptocurrency investigation unit at its FIA, further strengthening the resolve of the country towards combating financial crimes related to digital currencies.
The move comes in line with Islamabad’s efforts aimed at regulating the cryptocurrency market by way of introducing new laws.
According to the FIA, the cryptocurrency investigation unit has been established by direction of the director general. The role of this unit is to investigate money laundering, financing of terrorism, cybercrimes, and financial fraud in the context of cryptocurrencies.
They will monitor crypto activities, use advanced investigation techniques, and implement measures that will ensure the proper use of cryptocurrency.
Source: Geo News
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FIA Strengthens cryptocurrency investigation unit
This new unit operates in the NC3 of the FIA, which is a centralized command that ties together the various strands of anti-money laundering measures, virtual assets, cyber patrols, dark web monitoring, open-source intelligence, and Interpol cooperation.
According to the director of the FIA Counter Terrorism Wing, Dr. Muhammad Athar Waheed, “The Cryptocurrency Investigation Unit will focus on criminal investigations, whereas PVARA will remain responsible for the regulation of the virtual asset sector in the country.”
He also requested the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and the Anti-Narcotics Force to establish units similar to the cryptocurrency investigation unit to deal with crypto-related crimes.
Pakistan’s Crypto Framework Continues to Expand
Pakistan is now moving to tighten up regulations due to the rapid creation of its crypto ecosystem. In 2025, Pakistan was ranked third on the Global Crypto Adoption Index produced by Chainalysis due to strong retail interest despite years of uncertainty.
In order to introduce some structure in the fast-developing market, the government established the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), appointing Bilal Bin Saqib as the chair of the organization.
The functions of the institution include issuing licenses to crypto exchanges and monitoring virtual asset service providers. In addition, Pakistan is moving toward tokenization of state assets and has entered into a collaboration with the subsidiary of World Liberty Financial to utilize its USD1 stablecoin for international transactions.
The specialist unit from the FIA makes such regulations more efficient, as they provide specific measures that deal with financial crimes using cryptocurrencies.
As a result of better regulation, investors’ confidence will be increased, and there will be more compliance with global AML and CFT regulations, creating a secure environment for legitimate cryptocurrency businesses.
However, the industry continues to attract religious controversy since Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi has stated that cryptocoins are not considered “wealth” in Islam, thus resulting in debates on digital assets and Islamic digital finance.
What Happens Next?
The focus shifts to how well the FIA will use this newly cryptocurrency investigation unit within the regulatory structure of PVARA.
There is every likelihood that the authorities will move forward with the licensing of digital currency exchange platforms and enforcement actions targeting illegal activities related to digital assets, among other regulations. This will determine the ability of Pakistan to establish itself as a regulated center for digital assets in South Asia.
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