ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is establishing itself as a key player in the global cryptocurrency economy and setting trends rather than following them in the digital currency space, Pakistan Crypto Council`s (PCC) Chief Executive Officer Bilal Bin Saqib said on Friday.

Mr Saqib told a private news channel that the country is gaining recognition from international tech companies and investors for its growing potential in digital and crypto finance `For the first time, we are not standing behind the world but we are establishing our own trend in the digital currency landscape,` CEO said. He added, `Global tech leaders and companies are now looking toward Pakistan to explore its crypto potential.

Mr Saqib emphasised the enthusiasm of Pakistani youthforcryptoadoption,suggestingthenationcould spearhead digital finance in the region. `Pakistan has the potential to become a regional leader in digital finance, exporting innovation and becoming an epicentre for emerging markets,` he said.

He also pointed to the creation of Pakistan`s Digital Assets Authority as a key step towards `strong and smart regulation.` The objective, Mr Saqib explained, `is to ensure that global-level companies can now be built in Pakistan, not just in the U.S. or Europe.

PCC chief stressed the importance of empowering Pakistani freelancers and tech followers to become entrepreneurs. `Pakistan is progressing in this space faster than neighbouring countries,` he said, asserting that `the world is recognising our place in the digital economy.`-APP