In a major stride toward shaping the future of digital technologies in Pakistan, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has officially launched the Center for Digital Assets Research (CeDAR). The new center, inaugurated on April 24, aims to become a leading hub for research, training, and policy development in blockchain, Web 3.0, and digital assets.
Funded through a significant grant from the Stacks Foundation, CeDAR represents a landmark collaboration between academia and the global blockchain community. The Foundation is known for developing a Web 3.0 platform that enables smart contracts on Bitcoin. One of Stacks’ co-founders, Dr Muneeb Ali, is a prominent LUMS alumnus and a global pioneer in the space.
“Crypto networks are likely the biggest tech revolution since the internet itself,” said Dr Ali. “This new collaboration not only strengthens my bond with LUMS but equips the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs to build the future of the internet using blockchain.”
Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries globally in digital asset adoption but continues to operate in a regulatory gray area. With the recent formation of the Pakistan Crypto Council, the country has signaled its intention to provide a regulatory framework. CeDAR is positioned to play a pivotal role in this transition by offering a platform for policy research, technology incubation, and cross-sector collaboration.
To celebrate its launch, CeDAR hosted an international conference at LUMS, bringing together global experts, government officials, and fintech leaders. Notable attendees included top executives from Zodia Markets, Haruko, Scope Markets, Klickl, Dragonstone Capital, Binance, and Fasset, as well as domestic powerhouses like Abhi Bank, KTrade, TPL, Brillianz Group, Alfalah Investments, Zayn VC, and NayaPay.
The event featured roundtable discussions with key regulatory bodies, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the Pakistan Banking Council. Conversations centered around policy and compliance, energy use in digital asset mining, investment strategies involving digital assets, and workforce development.
With CeDAR now operational, LUMS is set to emerge as a regional leader in blockchain research and education, accelerating innovation and driving financial inclusion across Pakistan.