Pakistan’s long-overlooked fintech landscape is undergoing a significant resurgence, driven by renewed investor confidence and rapidly evolving regulatory reforms, according to a recent report by Forbes. The publication noted that after years of lagging behind India and other regional markets, Pakistan is now emerging as a strong contender in South Asia’s digital finance space.
Forbes highlighted that venture funding in Pakistan’s fintech sector has sharply increased over the past five years—rising from $10.4 million in 2019 to $150 million in 2022. Although startup funding dipped to just $12.5 million in 2023 due to global macroeconomic pressures, investment has since rebounded. Funding nearly doubled to $26.3 million in 2024 and reached $52.5 million in the first half of 2025. As of late November, Pakistan’s 450 fintech companies have collectively raised $391 million in venture capital.
This year’s largest fintech deal was the $52 million pre-Series A round raised by supply-chain fintech Haball, with Meezan Bank contributing $47 million. Forbes described the deal as a landmark partnership between an established Pakistani financial institution and a rapidly growing digital startup.
The report also underscored Pakistan’s improving regulatory climate. Initiatives such as the Pakistan Startup Fund, which offers equity-free grants to attract venture capital, and the introduction of a comprehensive digital bank licensing framework have bolstered sector confidence. By early 2025, five digital banks—including Easypaisa and Mashreq Bank—are expected to launch pilot operations. These collective efforts aim to raise adult financial inclusion from 64% in 2023 to 75% by 2028.
Pakistan’s growing presence in the digital asset space was another key highlight. The country ranked third globally—after India and the United States—on Chainalysis’s Top Crypto Adoption 2025 Index, reflecting its rapid uptake of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.
Unlike regional peers Bangladesh and Nepal, where cryptocurrencies are banned, Pakistan has maintained a relatively open stance. While historically hands-off, the government has now initiated work on a formal virtual asset regulatory framework to bring structure to the fast-growing sector.
Additionally, Pakistan recently secured global representation in digital asset governance as Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA), joined the World Economic Forum’s Steering Committee on Digital Asset Regulations.
Forbes concluded that with rising investments, strengthened policy support, and expanding global engagement, Pakistan is “undoubtedly a rising star” in the international fintech and digital asset landscape.
Read complete report: Forbes
