Pakistan Unveils Crypto Licensing Portal as Deadline Looms

Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has opened its licensing portal for virtual asset service providers, marking a significant step towards formalizing the country's cryptocurrency sector.

The move requires all businesses that have been operating locally since before March 5 to apply for a no-objection certificate (NOC) by September 5 or face suspension of operations.

PVARA represents Pakistan's most concrete effort to regulate digital assets after years of uncertainty, with the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body signaling a shift towards structured oversight rather than outright prohibition.