Key Points:
- Unit to probe money laundering and terror financing
- Move complements Pakistan’s new crypto regulatory framework
- Investigators to specialise in blockchain analysis
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established a dedicated Cryptocurrency Investigation Unit to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other digital assets-related crimes.
It is the latest step in the country’s rapidly evolving cryptocurrency regulatory landscape.
The specialised unit, operating under the FIA’s newly established National Command and Control Centre (NC3), will investigate the use of virtual assets in criminal activities, including cyber fraud, narcotics-related transactions and cryptocurrency scams.
FIA Counter-Terrorism Wing Director Dr Muhammad Athar Waheed told the media that the agency was strengthening its capabilities to address emerging threats posed by digital financial technologies.
Pakistani investigators to get specialised training
According to FIA officials, investigators assigned to the unit will receive training in blockchain analytics, digital asset tracing and cyber investigations in line with international standards.
The agency has also encouraged other law enforcement bodies, including anti-narcotics and cybercrime agencies, to establish specialised crypto-focused teams to improve inter-agency coordination.
The development comes as the government continues to formalise its cryptocurrency sector following the enactment of the Virtual Assets Act 2026 and the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA).
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Under the new framework, PVARA is responsible for licensing and regulating virtual asset service providers, while the FIA will focus on investigating criminal misuse of digital assets.
In April, the State Bank of Pakistan permitted banks to provide services to licensed virtual asset firms. The SBP permission removed a longstanding restriction and bringing the sector into the formal financial system under strict anti-money laundering requirements.
Authorities have since moved to attract global crypto firms, granting initial clearances to exchanges including Binance and HTX and exploring blockchain-based tokenisation initiatives.
Analysts say the creation of a dedicated investigative unit reflects the country’s dual-track approach. It is encouraging innovation in digital finance while strengthening safeguards against illicit financial flows, a key consideration under international anti-money laundering standards, according to cryptobriefing.com.
