Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom known for Gross National Happiness, is making headlines for its strategic and sustainable approach to Bitcoin and blockchain adoption. Here’s how Bhutan is quietly becoming one of the most crypto-forward countries in the world.
🟢 1. Green Bitcoin Mining at Sovereign Scale
Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Holding & Investments (DHI) has been mining Bitcoin since 2019, powered by 100% renewable hydropower.
This "green mining" aligns with Bhutan’s environmental ethos, offering a low-cost, sustainable crypto production model.
💰 2. Among the Top 5 Government Bitcoin Holders
🌴 Bhutan holds between 12,000 to 13,000 BTC, valued at $900M–$1.3B, making up over 30% of its GDP.
🌴 These reserves have helped fund public services, including civil servant salary increases and infrastructure development.
🌴 Strategic sell-offs during market peaks have generated over $100M in revenue.
🤝 3. Binance-Powered Real-World Crypto Adoption
🚀 In 2025, Bhutan partnered with Binance Pay and DK Bank to launch a nationwide crypto tourism payment system.
🚀 Visitors can now pay with BTC, BNB, ETH, USDT at 1,000+ merchants—from airlines and hotels to local markets and cultural sites.
🚀 All transactions are QR code–based, gas-free, and auto-convert to Bhutanese Ngultrum, making it seamless for vendors.
🌍 4. Inclusion, Innovation, and Impact
🍎 Small businesses in remote regions are now part of the digital economy—no card machines or banks needed.
🍎 The initiative promotes financial inclusion, digital literacy, and rural participation.
🍎 Bhutan also announced the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a blockchain-centric economic hub with its own digital currency and smart city framework.
🤔 5. Future Growth Potential
💲 With Starlink improving nationwide connectivity, crypto services are expected to scale further.
💲 Bhutan’s model combines sovereign wealth, sustainability, and real-world blockchain utility, positioning it as a blueprint for small, forward-looking nations.
✅ Summary of Binance’s Daily Use Shift in Bhutan
👁️🗨️ Area: Change Introduced by Binance Pay
👁️🗨️ Payment breadth: Crypto payments for flights, visas, food, hotels, and more
👁️🗨️ Merchant inclusion: Rural and remote vendors now part of digital economy
👁️🗨️ Transaction features: QR-based, instant, fee-free, auto-converted to BTN
👁️🗨️ Tourism positioning: Reinforces Bhutan as global leader in crypto tourism
👁️🗨️ Infrastructure boost: Prompts upgrades like Starlink to support digital payments
🛒 Everyday Transactions via Binance Pay
♨️ Nationwide tourism payments
Since May 2025, travelers with Binance accounts can use Binance Pay to pay across Bhutan for flights, visas, Sustainable Development Fees, hotels, tour guides, monument fees—even roadside snacks—with over 100 supported cryptocurrencies like BTC, BNB, USDC .
♨️ Widespread merchant acceptance
More than 100–1,000 merchants (reports vary) now accept crypto payments at restaurants, hotels, cultural sites, and remote vendors—just by scanning static or dynamic QR codes
♨️ Instant settlements, zero gas fees
All payments convert immediately into Bhutanese Ngultrum via DK Bank, ensuring merchants aren’t exposed to crypto volatility—and travelers pay little to no fees, with no blockchain gas costs.
🌐 Cultural & Economic Impact
💥 Boost to tourism appeal
Bhutan markets itself as the first country with nationwide crypto payments for travel, raising its profile among tech-savvy tourists and aligning with its “high-value, low-volume” tourism strategy .
💥 Strengthening local ecosystems
Beyond tourism, this initiative supports digital innovation, financial inclusion, and positions Bhutan as a crypto-forward smart nation .
🔑 Summary
Bhutan isn’t just mining Bitcoin—it’s redefining what a crypto economy can look like: sustainable, inclusive, and fully integrated into national growth.
With Binance Pay driving daily adoption, Bhutan is setting a new global standard in sovereign crypto innovation.
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