最新报道：According to CoinWorld, Tokyo-based blockchain developer Soramitsu is spearheading Pakistan's foray into digital currency, partnering with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to pilot a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the end of 2025. With a strong track record in Asia, including the development of Cambodia's Bakong digital currency, Soramitsu's involvement highlights the growing emphasis on digital assets to modernize financial systems in emerging markets. Soramitsu is promoting the launch of CBDCs in Asian countries. Soramitsu, a leading Japanese blockchain technology company, has partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan to launch a pilot program for the Pakistani digital rupee. According to Nikkei, the program, funded by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under the Global South Future-Oriented Co-creation Project, aims to address pressing financial challenges facing Pakistan's largely cash-dependent economy. Masato Toriya, an associate professor and expert on Pakistan at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, said, "Many transactions in rural areas are conducted in cash, even for salary payments, and the proportion of the population with bank accounts remains low." By introducing a CBDC, the project aims to reduce the significant costs associated with cash circulation and expand financial inclusion. Soramitsu is no stranger to pioneering CBDC technology in Asia. The company co-developed Cambodia's Bakong, the region's first central bank digital currency, and now it's embarking on its largest project to date, targeting Pakistan's 250 million people and economy worth approximately $400 billion. The Tokyo-based company is also innovating offline CBDC functionality, allowing users to transact digital currency via smartphone without constant internet access. This feature could be transformative for developing economies where connectivity remains uneven, making Pakistan's pilot a potential global model. Pakistan's Broader Digital Asset Strategy: State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad revealed in July that the central bank was finalizing legislation to regulate virtual assets and was preparing to launch a CBDC pilot soon. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Asia Summit in Singapore, Ahmad emphasized Pakistan's commitment to "building our capabilities in the SBP digital currency" and laying the regulatory foundation for virtual asset licensing. Meanwhile, Pakistan is stepping up efforts to integrate cryptocurrencies into its financial ecosystem. The government-backed Pakistan Cryptography Council was established in March to promote the adoption of virtual assets and explore initiatives such as utilizing surplus energy for Bitcoin mining. The council has also engaged with international crypto companies, including Binance and US entities, reflecting a strategic approach to digital asset development. While virtual assets remain unlicensed, the SBP clarified in May that they are not illegal and urged financial institutions to await a formal regulatory framework before engaging with such assets.