When you buy, sell, or trade crypto in Pakistan, a country where cryptocurrency is not illegal but lacks clear regulatory rules. Also known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it’s a place where crypto use is growing fast — but tax rules are still unclear. Unlike countries with strict crypto laws, Pakistan doesn’t have a dedicated crypto tax code. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) treats crypto as property, not currency. So every time you trade Bitcoin for Ethereum, sell USDT for PKR, or use crypto to buy something, you could owe tax.
Here’s the catch: there’s no official crypto tax rate Pakistan published by the government. But based on how the FBR handles capital gains and business income, most traders fall under either income tax, the tax applied to earnings from employment, business, or investment or capital gains tax, a tax on profit from selling assets like crypto. If you’re trading regularly, the FBR may classify you as a business — meaning your profits are taxed at your personal income tax rate, which can go up to 35%. If you’re a long-term holder who sells once a year, they might treat it as capital gain, which could be lower — but there’s no official rate to confirm that.
Reporting is even messier. The FBR doesn’t require exchanges to share user data like in the U.S. or UK. But that doesn’t mean you’re safe. If you deposit large sums into your bank account after selling crypto, the bank might flag it. The FBR has already started asking banks for transaction histories. If you can’t prove where the money came from, you could face penalties, audits, or even criminal charges under anti-money laundering laws. Some traders in Lahore and Karachi are already getting notices.
What about mining? If you mine crypto in Pakistan using your own electricity, the FBR hasn’t said whether it’s taxable. But if you sell the mined coins, the income is likely subject to tax. Same goes for airdrops and staking rewards — they’re treated as income when you receive them, not when you sell.
There’s no official crypto tax calculator for Pakistan. No app, no government portal. That’s why so many people are confused — or worse, ignoring it entirely. But ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. The global trend is clear: tax authorities are getting better at tracking crypto. Blockchain forensics tools can trace transactions across borders. Even if Pakistan’s system is slow, your activity on Binance or Bybit leaves a digital trail that could show up later.
So what should you do? Keep a simple record: date, amount, type of crypto, value in PKR at time of trade, and purpose (buy, sell, swap, earn). Use free tools like Koinly or CoinTracker to auto-calculate gains — even if Pakistan doesn’t require it, having proof protects you. If you’re making serious money, talk to a local tax advisor who understands digital assets. Don’t wait for a notice. Get ahead of it.
Below, you’ll find real posts that break down how crypto rules work in countries with tight controls — and how people in places like Bangladesh and Iran are handling it. Some of these stories might not be about Pakistan, but they show what happens when governments don’t make rules clear. And that’s exactly the danger you’re facing right now.
Pakistan imposes a 15% capital gains tax on crypto profits, not 0%. Learn how the tax works, what’s exempt, and why rumors of a 0% rate are false. Stay compliant with real rules for 2025.
