Pakistan crypto regulator seeks dialogue after Islamic scholar backs ruling against digital-asset payments
An Islamic scholar who supports a ruling against crypto payments met with Pakistan's virtual-assets regulator, which called for continued dialogue on how digital assets should be treated under the country's rules. The encounter places a specific question in front of Pakistan's regulatory setup: whether using crypto to make purchases can be reconciled with religious guidelines on financial conduct. No timeline for further talks or a formal policy response has been confirmed.
Key takeaways
- An Islamic scholar who supports a ruling against crypto payments met with Pakistan's virtual-assets regulator, which called for continued dialogue on how digital assets should be treated.
- The ruling targets crypto specifically as a payment mechanism, raising whether using crypto for purchases can be reconciled with religious guidelines on financial conduct.
- Rather than issue a counter-statement, Pakistan's regulator called for continued dialogue, treating religious authority as part of shaping digital-asset rules.
- No timeline for further talks or a formal policy response has been confirmed.
- The next confirmed milestone would be the regulator convening a formal working group with Islamic scholars or publishing a policy framework on crypto payment permissibility.
An Islamic scholar who supports a ruling against crypto payments met with Pakistan's virtual-assets regulator, which called for continued dialogue on how digital assets should be treated under the country's rules. The encounter places a specific question in front of Pakistan's regulatory setup: whether using crypto to make purchases can be reconciled with religious guidelines on financial conduct. No timeline for further talks or a formal policy response has been confirmed.
Scholar's position and the regulatory posture
The ruling targets crypto as a payment mechanism. The scholar's backing gives that position authority with those who look to religious guidance on financial questions. Rather than issue a counter-statement, Pakistan's virtual-assets regulator called for continued dialogue, a posture that treats religious authority as part of the conversation on how digital-asset rules should take shape.
The word "continued" in the regulator's call suggests some prior engagement between the agency and religious scholars on these questions. The scope and history of those talks has not been detailed from available reporting.
What to watch
The next confirmed milestone is whether Pakistan's virtual-assets regulator convenes a formal working group with Islamic scholars or publishes a policy framework that addresses crypto payment permissibility directly. A regulatory filing or official policy document would indicate the dialogue has moved past the initial meeting stage. Until that surfaces, the call for continued talks is the only confirmed output on record.
Filed by the digital assets desk of MarketPR on July 12, 2026. Source: MarketPR. Indicative figures are not investment advice.