Bhutan bets on Bitcoin to strengthen its economy: a long-term strategy with 10,000 BTC

In a move that marks a turning point in the adoption of digital assets at the state level, Bhutan has announced a strategic decision of considerable scope: to invest up to 10,000 Bitcoin (equivalent to approximately 1.1 billion dollars) as part of its national development plan.

The economic driver: Bhutan and its energy advantage

The Central Asian country has identified a unique opportunity to leverage its abundant hydroelectric power production. Instead of allowing surplus energy capacity to go to waste, Bhutan proposes channeling it into Bitcoin mining operations. This dual strategy achieves two objectives simultaneously: generating high-value digital asset income and maximizing the use of renewable resources that would otherwise remain idle.

Gelephu Mindfulness City: more than an urban project

The destination of this Bitcoin investment is Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan’s flagship territorial development project. Under the vision of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, GMC is conceived not only as an urban center but as an economic innovation laboratory that integrates digital assets into its fundamental financial structure.

The city has already outlined plans to include not only Bitcoin but also Ethereum, BNB, and other relevant digital assets in its strategic reserves, positioning Bhutan as one of the first states to adopt a comprehensive jurisdictional approach to cryptocurrencies.

Economic and social benefits

The allocation of these resources responds to three clearly defined strategic pillars:

• Infrastructure funding: the Bitcoin produced will finance long-term development projects without relying entirely on traditional budgets.

• Job creation: the initiative promises to create quality employment opportunities, with a particular emphasis on training young populations in technology and digital economy sectors.

• National financial strength: by building reserves of digital assets with proven value, Bhutan enhances its resilience against external economic volatilities.

Mining infrastructure: state-backed operations

Bhutan has developed significant mining capabilities through Druk Holding & Investments (DHI), a state-backed entity managing Bitcoin extraction operations. This institutional framework ensures that mining activity aligns with national goals of sustainable development and public value generation.

Bhutan’s decision demonstrates that digital assets have transcended the speculative realm to become tools of state economic policy, particularly attractive for countries with abundant energy and long-term diversification visions.