“We Are Holding Bitcoin and We Will Never Sell Them” – Pakistan Doubles Down on Bitcoin Amid India Border Tensions
In a remarkable display of conviction during one of the most challenging periods in recent history, Pakistan has made a bold declaration about Bitcoin that resonates far beyond the cryptocurrency community. As political tensions with India reached a boiling point and military conflicts escalated in Kashmir, Pakistan remained steadfast in its commitment to digital assets, with Minister of State for Blockchain and Crypto Bilal Bin Saqib declaring at Bitcoin 2025 in Las Vegas: “We will be holding these bitcoins and we will never, ever sell them.”
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Amid Military Crisis
Just weeks after the most serious military crisis in decades between two nuclear powers, Pakistan announced plans to establish a national strategic Bitcoin reserve. This decision comes in the immediate aftermath of the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, which included cross-border missile strikes and intense fighting in Kashmir from May 7-10, 2025.
According to CoinDesk, this strategic reserve was inspired by President Donald Trump’s administration’s own nascent plan for a strategic Bitcoin reserve in the U.S. However, what sets Pakistan’s declaration apart is their absolute “hodl” commitment during a time of unprecedented regional instability.
Recent Kashmir tensions escalate regional conflicts
2,000 Megawatts Investment in Digital Future
Pakistan’s commitment extends beyond mere accumulation. The country has allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity specifically for Bitcoin mining and AI data centers. This represents a massive infrastructure investment at a time when the nation faces significant economic and political challenges.
“We want to welcome all miners to come to Pakistan, all the infrastructure players to come to Pakistan and build with us,” Bin Saqib emphasized, signaling Pakistan’s open-door policy for crypto infrastructure development.
Vision for 100 Million Unbanked Citizens
Pakistan’s crypto ambitions are driven by practical necessity. With over 100 million unbanked people, the country sees blockchain technology as a pathway to financial inclusion and economic transformation.
“We have over 100 million unbanked people. They lack tools for saving, for investment, and we want to change that. We want them to break their economic classes. And I really believe that crypto and blockchain can help us take that quantum leap,” Bin Saqib explained.
The government’s vision includes tokenizing illiquid assets and implementing digital IDs, representing a comprehensive approach to digital transformation.
Bitcoin’s Appeal Transcends Political Chaos
Perhaps most remarkable about Pakistan’s Bitcoin strategy is its timing. The announcement came just weeks after the Four-Day Conflict with India, which featured:
- The first use of cruise missiles by India on Pakistan (BrahMos and SCALP-EG)
- Pakistan’s first use of conventionally armed short-range ballistic missiles on India
- The first instance of drone warfare between the two nations
- Significant casualties and military equipment losses on both sides
Despite this military confrontation and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, Pakistan doubled down on its digital asset strategy, demonstrating Bitcoin’s unique appeal as a hedge against traditional geopolitical and economic instability.
“Never Sell” Philosophy During Crisis
The “never sell” commitment is particularly significant given the context. While other nations debate cryptocurrency regulations and express concerns about volatility, Pakistan has chosen Bitcoin as a tool for achieving an “economic quantum leap” during one of its most challenging periods.
This unwavering stance reflects a deeper understanding of Bitcoin’s potential beyond short-term price movements. Pakistan’s leadership views Bitcoin not just as a speculative asset, but as fundamental infrastructure for economic transformation and financial sovereignty.
Global Implications
Pakistan’s Bitcoin strategy during a period of military conflict sends a powerful message to the global cryptocurrency community. It demonstrates that even in the face of immediate security threats and regional instability, forward-thinking nations recognize Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition.
The decision to maintain this commitment while simultaneously dealing with cross-border military tensions, international diplomatic pressure, and domestic economic challenges showcases Bitcoin’s resilience as both a store of value and a tool for national economic strategy.
As Pakistan continues to build its Bitcoin infrastructure and strategic reserves, the world watches to see if this bold bet on digital assets during turbulent times will prove prescient or premature. What’s certain is that Pakistan has firmly established itself as one of the most crypto-committed nations globally, regardless of external pressures or internal challenges.