Pakistan and El Salvador Sign Historic Bitcoin Agreement, Paving Way for Digital Currency Diplomacy

San Salvador / Islamabad: In a landmark development in digital diplomacy, Pakistan and El Salvador have signed a historic agreement centered around Bitcoin and digital assets. This marks Pakistan’s first official diplomatic step in the realm of cryptocurrency.
According to Express News, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office and Pakistan Crypto Council. Representing Pakistan, Bilal Bin Saqib signed the agreement in his capacity as CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council.
During a high-level meeting in San Salvador, Bilal Bin Saqib held discussions with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele—the first official meeting between a Pakistani representative and the Salvadoran head of state. The conversation focused extensively on Bitcoin, digital currencies, and blockchain-based policy frameworks.
Experts are calling this initiative the beginning of “Bitcoin Plus Diplomacy” as it reflects a strategic intent to integrate digital assets into Pakistan’s financial and regulatory frameworks. The dialogue covered key topics such as Bitcoin education, sovereign digital reserves, and regulatory reforms.
The centerpiece of this diplomatic engagement was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI), which outlines mutual cooperation in areas such as public sector Bitcoin integration, financial inclusion through blockchain, and policy design for emerging economies.
The meeting also explored El Salvador’s pioneering experience of adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, and how Pakistan might learn from it in crafting its own digital asset strategy.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib hailed El Salvador’s bold Bitcoin initiative as a global example. “This visit lays the foundation for a strategic relationship built on innovation, inclusivity, and shared learning,” he stated.
President Bukele welcomed the engagement and praised Pakistan’s forward-thinking stance on digital assets. He emphasized Bitcoin’s potential in promoting financial sovereignty for developing nations.
This high-level diplomatic engagement comes at a time when Pakistan is making strides in digital asset regulation, including the establishment of a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and the proposed creation of a “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”
With global interest in Bitcoin growing, this agreement signals Pakistan’s intent to emerge as a key player in shaping international crypto policy and marks a new chapter in tech-driven diplomacy.