Tucked in the Himalayas and known globally for prioritizing Gross National Happiness over GDP, Bhutan has been quietly amassing one of the largest national Bitcoin reserves in the world.
Behind closed doors, the small kingdom has accumulated an estimated $1.3 billion worth of Bitcoin, a figure approaching 40% of its GDP—and it's done so not through speculation or trading, but through sustainable mining.
Since around 2019, Bhutan has been leveraging its powerful rivers and abundant hydroelectric capacity to mine Bitcoin. Using excess electricity that would otherwise go unused, the country quietly built mining operations through Druk Holding & Investments (DHI), its state-owned investment arm, in collaboration with Bitdeer, a major player in global crypto mining.
By harnessing 100% renewable hydropower, Bhutan has sidestepped the environmental criticism that plagues much of the crypto mining industry. Instead, it has transformed clean energy into a growing source of national wealth.
While most countries are still navigating crypto regulation, Bhutan has already found practical uses for its digital assets. Reports suggest that proceeds from Bitcoin mining have contributed to civil servant salary increases and national development projects—critical support as tourism, Bhutan’s traditional economic driver, struggles to recover post-pandemic.
This approach marks a quiet but strategic integration of crypto into national planning, positioning Bhutan as a rare government-level adopter of Bitcoin with a sustainability-first model.
Bhutan’s crypto success is drawing attention. Analysts say the kingdom’s model could serve as a blueprint for other small nations rich in renewable energy but short on diversified income sources.
Still, the strategy isn’t without risk. Bitcoin’s notorious price swings mean Bhutan’s holdings could lose significant value in a downturn. But with BTC near all-time highs, the country’s crypto portfolio is reportedly on track to exceed 50% of its GDP, bolstering its financial resilience and global relevance.
Without hype or headlines, Bhutan has quietly become a Bitcoin powerhouse—proving that with vision, clean energy, and patience, even a small, landlocked nation can carve out a commanding role in the digital economy.
June 2025, Cryptoniteuae