Did you know the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is holding over $1.25 billion in Bitcoin?
They've quietly stacked 12,062 BTC, equal to ~30% of their entire GDP ($2.9B). Wild.
They’ve been mining it since 2019, and it’s paying off big time.
They aren’t just about stunning mountains and Gross National Happiness anymore - it’s now a serious player in the crypto game, and the world is catching on. Here’s what’s happening:
1/ Bhutan’s Government Is a Bitcoin Whale
- Bhutan holds 12,000+ BTC (worth $1.17B), making it the 5th biggest government Bitcoin holder - ahead of El Salvador
- They also stack ETH, BNB, and stablecoins, all mined with 100% clean hydropower
2/ Green Mining FTW
- Since 2019, Bhutan’s been mining BTC using its mountain rivers. No fossil fuels, just pure hydro energy
- This “green” mining isn’t just eco-friendly - it’s helped pay government salaries and is now fueling their economic growth
3/ World’s First National Crypto Tourism Payment System
- In May 2025, Bhutan launched a game-changer: tourists can pay for everything: flights, hotels, visas, shopping with 100+ cryptos using Binance Pay
- Over 100 local businesses, even in rural areas, now accept crypto. All payments auto-convert to Ngultrum (BTN), so no one’s left holding bags of volatility
4/ Why This Matters
- Bhutan’s showing the world how to use crypto for real economic impact: boosting tourism, helping small businesses, and keeping money flowing in a tough global market
- They’re building a 2.5GW hydropower plant and a new “Gelephu Mindful Economic Zone” to scale even more
If you thought crypto was just for the big guys, think again. Bhutan’s proof that even a small country can make huge moves in the space.