Bhutan Commits Up to 10,000 Bitcoin Worth $1 Billion to Fund Gelephu Mindfulness City

The Kingdom of Bhutan has unveiled a landmark national Bitcoin Development Pledge, committing up to 10,000 BTC — valued at approximately $1 billion — to support the long-term development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a visionary special administrative region designed as a sustainable economic hub.

Announced on December 17, 2025, during the country’s National Day address by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the pledge positions Bitcoin as a strategic national asset for generational prosperity rather than short-term speculation.

Officials emphasized that the kingdom has no plans to sell the holdings, instead exploring responsible strategies such as collateralized lending, risk-managed yield generation, and long-term holding to preserve and grow value while funding infrastructure.”Final decisions on deployment will be made in the coming months, prioritizing capital preservation, transparency, and stewardship,” a statement from GMC read.

Gelephu Mindfulness City, spanning over 1,000 square kilometers in southern Bhutan near the Indian border, is envisioned as the world’s first mindfulness-based economic zone. Rooted in Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, the project aims to create high-value jobs, stem youth migration, and attract global investment in sectors like green technology, finance, education, healthcare, and eco-tourism.

The city will feature regulatory flexibility for digital assets, an international airport, and infrastructure blending nature, culture, and innovation — including inhabitable bridges, biodiversity corridors, and mandala-inspired neighborhoods.

Bhutan, one of the earliest sovereign Bitcoin miners since 2019, has amassed significant holdings — estimated at over 11,000 BTC — by converting surplus hydroelectric power into digital assets. This clean-energy approach ensures zero additional environmental impact, aligning with the kingdom’s carbon-negative status.

Mining operations, powered by abundant Himalayan rivers, continue to bolster reserves without expanding fossil fuel use.The pledge builds on Bhutan’s broader blockchain strategy, including a national digital identity system, crypto payments for tourism, and the recent launch of TER, a sovereign-backed gold token on Solana distributed through DK Bank.

By integrating digital finance with sustainability and social outcomes, Bhutan seeks to diversify its economy, foster resilience for younger generations, and position GMC as a bridge connecting South and Southeast Asia.

The initiative has drawn international interest, highlighting the Himalayan nation’s innovative role in sovereign digital asset adoption.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.