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Bhutan commits up to 10,000 bitcoin to back new mindfulness-based economic hub
The Himalayan kingdom plans to deploy part of its sovereign bitcoin holdings to fund long-term development through Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Updated Dec 17, 2025, 2:35 p.m. Published Dec 17, 2025, 10:15 a.m.
What to know:
- Bhutan committed up to 10,000 bitcoin toward the long-term development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new economic hub in southern Bhutan.
- The pledge builds on Bhutan’s years-long use of bitcoin mining powered by surplus hydropower.
- Officials say any use of bitcoin will prioritize capital preservation, transparency and long-term stewardship.
Bhutan unveiled a national Bitcoin Development Pledge that will allocate up to 10,000 bitcoin , valued around $860 million at current prices, to support the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The commitment positions bitcoin as a strategic national asset rather than a speculative holding, with officials exploring responsible approaches such as collateralization, treasury strategies or long-term holding to fund development while preserving value, according to an emailed announcement on Wednesday.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Final decisions on how the assets will be deployed are expected in the coming months.
Gelephu Mindfulness City is a special administrative region designed to use digital assets for its financial reserves, forming a key part of Bhutan's blockchain strategy to diversify its economy and attract investment.
Bhutan was among the earliest sovereign bitcoin miners, converting surplus hydropower into digital assets for several years. The country says it will continue using excess clean energy to mine bitcoin without increasing environmental impact.
The pledge builds on a broader digital strategy that includes blockchain-based national digital identity, crypto-enabled payments for tourism and merchants, and the recent introduction of TER, a sovereign-backed gold token.
Together, Bhutan sees the efforts as blending digital finance with governance, sustainability and social outcomes — particularly for younger generations.
AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.
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