By Nermeen Nabil Khear 
Crypto optimists’ prophecies are solidifying. The Kingdom of Bhutan’s newly established special administrative region, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), is considering crypto to enhance its economy. According to the announcement, it plans to include digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and BNB in its strategic reserves.
Druk Holdings and Investments (DHI) is Bhutan’s investment arm, and Green Digital Limited (GDL). It started mining Bitcoin while prices were about $5,000. The Kingdom’s Bitcoin reserves now reach $1 billion, making it one of the largest sovereign holders of digital assets.
📌 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝗼𝗳-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 📌
Based on the latest public information available, the US still remains the largest sovereign holder of bitcoin with around 198k BTC on the government’s balance sheet, closely followed by China. pic.twitter.com/L3j5o95Oyx
— Bitwise Europe (formerly ETC Group) (@Bitwise_Europe) December 18, 2024
In addition, according to World Bank figures, by 2023, these holdings accounted for approximately 34.48% of the country’s $2.9 billion GDP. This demonstrates Bhutan’s strategic usage of cryptocurrency as an economic asset. Clearly, they already know that crypto has good returns, so it’s going a mile longer.
Notably, In March 2025, GMC will hold a high-level meeting to discuss the strategic reserve of digital assets and establish an international advisory committee.
Bhutan’s initiative
Currently, the Kingdom is developing its mining infrastructure in a phased manner in collaboration with Bitdeer Technologies Group. The initial segment, which has a capacity of 100 megawatts, is currently operational. The objective of the second phase is to increase the capacity by 500 megawatts by mid-2025.
Regardless of the tricky costs of mining currently, they have found a way for the mining process to be both sustainable and efficient. This is due to the project’s reliance on Bhutan’s copious hydropower resources.
Notably, Bhutan’s emphasis on enhancing its position in the global Bitcoin mining landscape and enticing foreign direct investment (FDI) is exemplified by the $500 million fund that was established in May 2023 in partnership with Bitdeer.
The Kingdom’s experience in mining is exceptional. Its first large-scale Bitcoin mining effort was the construction of a 100-megawatt crypto-mining data center in Gedu. It leverages the country’s hydroelectric power to mine Bitcoin in an environmentally friendly manner.
#BNB is now a Strategic Reserve asset in Bhutan🇧🇹. https://t.co/GN3K8pLyaA
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 8, 2025
Additionally, the complex now has 30,000 mining machines. They are expected to create three to five bitcoins each day, producing a daily revenue of $317,400 to $529,000 at current pricing.
Still, the strategic method enables Bhutan to produce consistent revenue from bitcoin mining while reducing market volatility. The project also provides local jobs, which helps the country’s overall economic transition.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin is becoming a component of national strategies as nations investigate the implications of digital currencies. The United States is contemplating the establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve, while El Salvador was the first country to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender, garnering significant attention.
Also, China has adopted blockchain technology to bolster its digital yuan despite its cautious stance on crypto. Still, Bhutan distinguishes itself from these changes by forging its own course rather than adhering to global trends.
What the future holds for Bhutan with Bitcoin
The “mindfulness city” of Gelephu is a transformative development initiative that is designed to achieve Bhutan’s long-term vision, rather than a traditional city. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck emphasized the project’s objective to generate opportunities for Bhutanese youth.
During his National Day speech on December 17, he urged them to remain in the country rather than pursue opportunities abroad. He stated, “Balancing economic growth with the preservation of Bhutan’s natural beauty, culture, and values is crucial.”
Bhutan aims to reconcile its cultural values with technological advancements by diversifying its economy. Matrixport, a global crypto financial services company, has applied for a Financial Services Permission License to operate in Mindfulness City.
In addition, there has been a recent development within this framework. Matrixport is the inaugural organization to apply the city’s newly established regulatory framework for financial services and virtual assets.
This action underscores Bhutan’s pursuit of a regulated environment for digital assets and blockchain, thereby bolstering its strategy to attract global actors while simultaneously upholding its dedication to sustainable and culturally sensitive development.
Bhutan also demonstrates that technology can foster sustainable development while preserving cultural identity in a world of rapid technological change. This innovative approach demonstrates that even small nations can lead by example. With great expectations for Bitcoin’s price in coming years, Bhutan’s economy stands a chance to do well.
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This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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