Bhutan Commits $1 Billion in Bitcoin to Develop Gelephu Mindfulness City Without Selling Reserves
Bhutan has pledged up to 10,000 BTC, equivalent to about $1 billion, to finance the Gelephu Mindfulness City project through collateralized lending and yield strategies without liquidating its sovereign Bitcoin reserves. The pledge was announced by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during the National Day Address, framing it as a generational investment focused on youth employment and creating a new economic hub in the southern region.
The project will be implemented in the coming months under governance frameworks emphasizing capital preservation, oversight, and transparency. Gelephu Mindfulness City is planned to operate as a Special Administrative Region designed to attract international capital. New land policies are expected to ensure that the benefits are shared across regions and that citizens take on a stakeholder role.
Bhutan is the world's fifth-largest government Bitcoin holder, having mined 13,011 BTC since 2021 and presently holding over 11,286 BTC valued at roughly $1.28 billion according to Bitbo data. Green Digital Ltd, through the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) partnership, has joined forces with Cumberland DRW to develop frameworks for digital asset trading, sustainable mining expansions, AI compute facilities, and the creation of a national stablecoin.
Gelay Jamtsho, chairman of Green Digital, emphasized how the collaboration links renewable energy infrastructure with institutional liquidity, supporting economic diversification beyond Bhutan's traditional sectors.
In addition, Bhutan launched a blockchain-based national identity system for 800,000 citizens on Ethereum after moving from Polygon in October 2025. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay highlighted that this migration strengthens security and transparency. Since May 2025, crypto payments are available to tourism merchants through DK Bank and Binance Pay, with over 100 local merchants now accepting digital assets.
