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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a regulatory sandbox for artificial intelligence-driven payments and virtual asset services, marking a key step in its push to formalize digital finance and strengthen oversight in the fast-evolving virtual assets sector.&nbsp;The move was discussed during a meeting this week between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Minister of State and Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office.&nbsp;The development comes as Pakistan accelerates efforts to build a formal regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets, following recent high-level engagements with global industry leaders, including a 2025 visit by Richard Teng, chief executive of Binance, to Islamabad.&nbsp;The visit underscored Islamabad&rsquo;s growing focus on digital asset regulation, blockchain adoption and financial innovation as part of its broader economic modernization strategy.&nbsp;The sandbox, a controlled environment for testing financial technologies under regulatory supervision, is designed to support innovation in AI-driven payments and regulated virtual asset services while helping authorities develop policy frameworks for emerging technologies.&nbsp;PM Sharif directed officials to ensure that &ldquo;an effective and globally compliant regulatory system in the virtual assets sector&rdquo; is made fully operational at the earliest, saying the framework is essential to promote Pakistan&rsquo;s digital economy and enhance investor confidence.&nbsp;He also stressed the need to equip young Pakistanis with future-ready skills, calling for special measures to provide training in &ldquo;modern technologies,&rdquo; particularly artificial intelligence and digital finance.&nbsp;Saqib briefed the prime minister on PVARA&rsquo;s transition into an operational regulator and outlined progress on the regulatory sandbox, saying innovations are being introduced in digital payments and virtual asset services.&nbsp;The PMO said work is underway to prepare national institutions, the workforce and the regulatory framework for the next phase of economic transformation, as Pakistan seeks to expand its footprint in emerging digital and financial technologies.

Artificial Intelligence

Pakistan launched a regulatory sandbox for AI-driven payments and virtual assets to formalize digital finance. PM Sharif urged a compliant framework, youth training, and faster rollout to boost innovation, oversight, and investor confidence.

Articles tagged with "virtual asset"

Pakistan launches regulatory sandbox for AI-driven financial innovation

Pakistan launches regulatory sandbox for AI-driven financial innovation