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Pakistan opens banking to crypto operators, mandates customer fund segregation

Pakistan\'s central bank has allowed banks to open and maintain accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers, effectively ending a ban on crypto-related financial transactions in place since 2018. Banks must verify licences issued by the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority or accept a no-objection certificate for limited accounts. The rules require customer funds to be held separately in non-interest rupee accounts and strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.