Bhutan accelerates its digital transformation with green energy-backed digital asset infrastructure

The Kingdom of Bhutan is establishing itself as a leader in the integration of blockchain and renewable energy, thanks to a strategic partnership with Cumberland DRW LLC, one of the leading global liquidity platforms in the crypto market. This multi-year agreement will lay the foundation for a robust digital asset ecosystem in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) region.

Cooperation Framework and Strategic Objectives

The partnership between the Bhutanese administration and Cumberland DRW encompasses several key pillars: implementing a specialized regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, building infrastructure for the issuance of a national stablecoin, developing sustainable mining and AI computing capabilities, as well as optimizing the country’s digital reserve management.

Cumberland will bring experience in institutional markets and access to international liquidity, while the Bhutanese side leads infrastructure initiatives powered by hydroelectric resources. The practical execution is entrusted to Green Digital, a GMC subsidiary specializing in computational capacity hosting. This company will build data centers powered by hydroelectric energy, integrating green technology into the national financial architecture.

The Potential of Bhutan’s Energy Resources

The kingdom already actively leverages its abundant hydroelectric energy for Bitcoin mining, accumulating 5,984 BTC in its national reserves. This strategy positions Bhutan as a significant player in the global digital economy, capitalizing on its competitive advantages in clean energy generation.

Alongside this initiative, the country’s technological infrastructure is undergoing significant transformations. Last year, the national digital identity system was migrated to the Ethereum blockchain, consolidating the adoption of decentralized technologies. Recently, the sovereign digital token TER was issued, backed by gold reserves.

Vision of Key Stakeholders

According to Gelay Jamtsho, President of Green Digital, this partnership allows for the fusion of Bhutan’s sustainable energy capacity with international capital markets, creating unique synergies for digital development. Donald Wilson, founder of DRW, highlighted that the cooperation will accelerate the modernization of Bhutan’s digital economy, positioning the kingdom as a pioneer in the responsible integration of blockchain technologies with environmental sustainability.