LUMS Launches CeDAR, a Center for Digital Assets Research

In a significant development for the advancement of digital technologies in Pakistan, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) officially unveiled the Center

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) announced the launch of the Center for Digital Assets Research (CeDAR). The center is focused on research, education, and policy development in the domains of blockchain, Web 3.0, and digital assets.

Its establishment was made possible by a major grant from the Stacks Foundation, a prominent organization working on a Web 3.0 platform that enables smart contracts on the Bitcoin network.

This initiative marks a significant collaboration between the academic sector and the global blockchain ecosystem. Among the notable figures involved is Dr. Muneeb Ali, a LUMS alumnus and a pioneer in the blockchain industry who co-founded Stacks.

Highlighting the importance of this collaboration, Dr. Ali stated, “The rise of crypto networks is one of the most fundamental technological revolutions since the invention of the internet. This partnership not only deepens my personal connection with LUMS but allows us to equip future engineers and entrepreneurs to build the next generation of internet technologies using blockchain.”

Pakistan is ranked among the top ten nations for digital asset adoption but operates within an uncertain regulatory framework.

The recent formation of the Pakistan Crypto Council and the involvement of industry leaders, including those from Binance, Dragonstone, and Scope Markets, attest to the nation’s swift progress in response to the evolving digital asset landscape.

To mark its inauguration, CeDAR hosted an international conference at the LUMS campus. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including global experts, government representatives, and fintech leaders.

Among the attendees were senior executives from international firms such as Zodia Markets, Haruko, Klickl, Dragonstone Capital, Binance, Fasset, and leading Pakistani organizations like Abhi Bank, KTrade, TPL, Brillianz Group, Alfalah Investments, Zayn VC, and NayaPay.

The conference agenda included roundtable discussions with key regulatory stakeholders from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the Pakistan Banking Council.

These discussions focused on critical topics like policy formation and compliance issues, energy consumption in digital asset mining, investment strategies in the digital asset domain, and the development of a skilled workforce for the emerging digital economy.

As CeDAR commences operations at LUMS, the university aims to amplify its role in advancing technological innovation and promoting financial inclusion within Pakistan.