Pakistan to Launch Digital Rupee Pilot With Soramitsu in 2025

Pakistan is set to begin a pilot program for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the digital Pakistani rupee, in partnership with Soramitsu, a Tokyo-based blockchain firm. The collaboration, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry under the Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project, aims to modernize financial infrastructure, improve payment efficiency, and expand financial inclusion across the country [1]. The project is expected to start before the end of 2025 and is seen as a key step in reducing reliance on cash, particularly in rural areas where access to banking services remains limited [2].

Soramitsu, which has previously supported CBDC initiatives in countries like Cambodia, will provide its Hyperledger Iroha platform to support secure and transparent digital transactions. The platform will facilitate the testing of digital rupee transactions, with a focus on reducing the high costs associated with cash distribution and making banking services more accessible in underserved regions [3]. Additionally, the firm is developing offline transaction features that allow users to conduct payments on smartphones without continuous internet access, a crucial consideration in areas with limited connectivity [4].

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been working to establish regulatory frameworks to oversee digital currencies, with Governor Jameel Ahmad confirming that formal rules are being finalized ahead of the pilot launch. Although virtual currencies remain unlicensed in Pakistan, the central bank is taking a cautious yet forward-looking approach to ensure the digital currency project is both innovative and secure [5]. The SBP’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology for economic development was emphasized in a public statement by its governor in early August [6].

The project is also part of a broader push by Pakistan to explore the potential of blockchain and digital currencies. The country recently established the Pakistan Crypto Council to investigate various crypto-based solutions, including bitcoin mining using surplus energy. Additionally, Pakistan has signed a partnership with El Salvador to study the use of crypto for economic applications [7].

If successful, the pilot could serve as a model for other countries in the region seeking to adopt central bank digital currencies. It is expected to reduce transaction costs, increase financial inclusion, and streamline cross-border payments. The collaboration between Soramitsu and Pakistan reflects a growing trend of cross-border cooperation in financial innovation, with Japan’s technological expertise complementing Pakistan’s ambitions to strengthen its digital economy [8].

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Source:

[1] Pakistan's digital currency effort gets support from Japan, https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/currencies/pakistan-s-digital-currency-effort-gets-support-from-japan

[2] Pakistan chooses Japanese firm for digital currency, https://dailytimes.com.pk/1352874/pakistan-chooses-japanese-firm-for-digital-currency/

[3] SBP partners with Soramitsu to pilot digital Pakistani rupee in 2025, https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/08/12/sbp-partners-with-soramitsu-to-pilot-digital-pakistani-rupee-in-2025/

[4] Japan's Soramitsu Teams Up with Pakistan to Launch ..., https://www.cryptotimes.io/2025/08/13/japans-soramitsu-teams-up-with-pakistan-to-launch-cbdc-pilot/

[5] SBP partners with Japan's Soramitsu for digital currency ..., https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/pakistan/sbp-partners-with-japan-s-soramitsu-for-digital-currency-rollout-report/ar-AA1Kpb3X

[6] Pakistan Partners with Japan's Soramitsu to Pilot Digital ..., https://m.facebook.com/Parhlo/photos/pakistan-partners-with-japans-soramitsu-to-pilot-digital-rupee-boosting-financial-access/1178****90991039/

[7] Pakistan, Japan's Soramitsu to Test Central Bank Digital ..., https://propakistani.pk/2025/08/12/pakistan-japans-soramitsu-to-test-central-bank-digital-currency-this-year/

[8] Japan-based fintech firm Soramitsu has joined forces with Pakistan’s State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to launch a pilot program for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the digital Pakistani rupee. The initiative, expected to begin in 2025, will utilize Soramitsu’s CBDC platform and is supported by Japan’s Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project. The move aims to modernize the country’s financial infrastructure, improve payment efficiency, and enhance financial inclusion [1].