The State Bank of Pakistan has issued Circular No. 10 of 2026, replacing the 2018 ban on handling virtual assets with new regulations under the Virtual Assets Act (2026). This change permits regulated entities to open bank accounts for virtual asset service providers licensed by the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) and their clients. The regulations require license verification, due diligence, and the establishment of separate client fund accounts for authorized transactions. Mixing of funds, cash deposits, and using virtual assets as collateral for financing are prohibited, alongside continuous transaction monitoring and adherence to anti-money laundering laws. Additionally, only institutions with a no-objection certificate can open limited-purpose accounts. Regulated entities are barred from using their own or clients' funds to invest in, trade, or hold virtual assets.