Catenaa, Thursday, August 14, 2025- Pakistan will launch a pilot program for its first Central Bank Digital Currency, the digital Pakistani rupee, before the end of 2025 in partnership with Tokyo-based blockchain firm Soramitsu, a report filed by Reuters said.
The initiative, backed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry under the Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project, aims to modernize payment systems, cut cash handling costs, and improve financial access in rural areas.
Soramitsu, known for supporting Cambodia’s CBDC, will deploy its Hyperledger Iroha blockchain to enable secure, transparent transactions.
The platform will be tested for digital rupee transfers, with added offline payment features allowing smartphone-based transactions without continuous internet, addressing connectivity challenges in underserved regions.
The State Bank of Pakistan is finalizing regulatory frameworks to oversee the digital currency rollout. Governor Jameel Ahmad said in early August that the bank is taking a cautious approach to ensure innovation is matched with strong safeguards. Although virtual currencies remain unlicensed, the central bank is positioning the pilot as a controlled step toward broader adoption.
The program is part of Pakistan’s wider push into blockchain applications. The newly formed Pakistan Crypto Council is exploring crypto-based solutions such as energy-linked mining, while a recent agreement with El Salvador will study digital currency use cases for economic development.
If successful, the pilot could serve as a regional model for CBDC adoption, fostering lower transaction costs, greater financial inclusion, and improved cross-border payment efficiency through Japan-Pakistan collaboration.
