Pakistan Taps Japanese Blockchain Firm to Build Digital Rupee CBDC App

Tokyo-based Soramitsu is partnering with Pakistan’s central bank to develop a state-backed digital currency featuring offline transaction capabilities. The initiative, backed by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, marks Pakistan’s concrete step toward modernizing its payment infrastructure.

Pakistan’s Digital Rupee Takes Shape With International Support

As more nations transition to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), Pakistan is moving forward with its own state-backed digital money initiative. The 25th largest economy globally has chosen Soramitsu, a prominent Japanese blockchain technology company, to engineer and deploy a digital rupee platform. This CBDC app pilot project will operate on the firm’s proven CBDC infrastructure.

The collaboration receives financial backing from Japan’s Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project under the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, as reported by Nikkei Asia. Soramitsu brings considerable experience to the table—the company previously developed a pilot version of digital currency for Papua New Guinea in early 2023 and worked alongside the Central Bank of Solomon Islands to launch Bokolo Cash, their official dollar-based CBDC.

Offline-First Design Addresses Real-World Constraints

A defining feature of Pakistan’s CBDC app will be its capacity to function without internet connectivity. This offline-capable payment system is crucial for a country where digital access remains uneven across regions. Citizens in areas lacking reliable internet infrastructure will still be able to conduct transactions using the digital rupee, effectively replicating the accessibility of physical cash.

This design philosophy could establish a valuable blueprint for other developing economies facing similar infrastructure gaps. If Pakistan successfully deploys this model, it may influence how other nations approach their own CBDC initiatives in underserved markets.

Broader Digital Asset Ambitions

Pakistan’s embrace of digital currency represents just one facet of its expanding crypto and technology agenda. Governor Jameel Ahmad of the Central Bank of Pakistan disclosed in July that the institution was preparing to launch the CBDC pilot, while simultaneously working to finalize regulations for digital assets.

The nation’s interests extend beyond CBDCs. Pakistani officials recently engaged with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to study his country’s bitcoin integration strategy. Pakistan has signaled intentions to establish a national bitcoin reserve and allocate 2,000 megawatts of power capacity toward cryptocurrency mining and AI data center operations—signaling a comprehensive shift toward blockchain-enabled infrastructure development.

The convergence of CBDC innovation, regulatory clarity, and bitcoin adoption suggests Pakistan is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital financial transformation.