AWAJ Urges Creation of Single Body to Safeguard Pakistani Crypto Users

AWAJ president Hinza Asif calls for a unified industry group in Pakistan to shield digital-asset investors after a massive Binance breach.

NationPulse Desk

Nov 2, 2026 · 8:45 AM 2 min read

Key takeaways

Hinza Asif of AWAJ called for a single industry body in Pakistan to protect crypto investors.

Pakistan ranks third in Chainalysis 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index with an estimated 40 million crypto-linked accounts.

Estimated exposure to digital assets in Pakistan is between $10 billion and $20 billion, though not officially verified.

Ms Asif welcomed PVARA's regulatory efforts and suggested a complementary industry association.

She proposed a national digital-finance platform with research, grievance handling, cybersecurity awareness and international partnerships.

Hinza Asif, president of Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ), has urged the establishment of a single industry representative organization in Pakistan to defend digital-asset investors and improve liaison with overseas cryptocurrency exchanges, citing the recent multibillion-dollar Binance security breach.

In her statement, Ms Asif noted that Pakistan's expanding crypto market lacks validated investor data and a structured forum to voice stakeholder concerns during major cyber-security or financial events involving foreign exchanges.

She warned that incidents at large platforms can trigger monetary losses, unauthorized transfers and withdrawal problems, potentially eroding confidence among investors. The exact effect of the Binance episode on Pakistani participants remains unknown and needs independent confirmation, she added.

According to Chainalysis, Pakistan placed third in the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index. Rough estimates suggest about 40 million crypto-linked accounts exist, with total digital-asset exposure ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion, though these numbers have not been officially validated as individual investor counts.

"The question is who will represent and protect Pakistani investors if an international exchange faces a major cybersecurity or financial crisis," Ms Asif said, pointing out the country's lack of a formal mechanism for handling investor grievances or engaging with foreign exchanges in such scenarios.

Ms Asif expressed approval of regulatory steps taken by the government through the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA). She argued that the regulator and an independent industry association could complement each other.

PVARA would manage regulatory issues within its legal scope, while an industry body would give fintech firms, blockchain enterprises, tech professionals and investors a venue to raise issues and interact with policymakers.

She also advocated for a national digital-finance platform supported by sound market research, coordinated grievance processes, cybersecurity education and formal ties with global industry groups.

Ms Asif highlighted that the promise of digital finance extends beyond crypto trading to encompass blockchain uses, electronic payments, fintech start-ups and cross-border investment.

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