Bhutan’s Bold Leap: Sovereign Bitcoin and Gold Tokens to Power "Mindfulness City"

Bhutan has announced a landmark commitment of 10,000 BTC (approximately $1 billion) to fund the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). This sovereign digital asset pledge, unveiled by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck during his National Day Address, positions the Himalayan kingdom as a global leader in integrating cryptocurrency with national infrastructure.

A New Model for Wealth Distribution

The initiative aims to turn every Bhutanese citizen into a "shareholder" of GMC. Under a unique land policy, the success of the economic hub will benefit people across all districts, not just those living in the southern region.

Key highlights of the strategy include:

• Long-Term Holding: The 10,000 BTC will be held as a reserve to generate yield and preserve capital, rather than being sold immediately.
• Strategic Assets: Beyond Bitcoin, GMC has designated Ethereum and BNB as strategic reserves.
• Economic Resilience: The pledge is designed to drive job creation and long-term financial stability for the nation’s youth.

Expanding the Blockchain Ecosystem

The Bitcoin pledge is just one piece of Bhutan’s broader digital transformation. The kingdom has recently reached several major milestones:

• Gold-Backed Tokens (TER): Launched on the Solana blockchain, these sovereign-backed tokens represent physical gold held in custody, offering a stable digital asset rooted in traditional value.
• Digital Identity (NDI): Bhutan became the first nation to anchor a population-scale identity system on the Ethereum blockchain. This allows citizens to prove residency or age via decentralized identifiers without a central database.
• Mainstream Crypto Adoption: Through a partnership with Binance Pay, crypto payments have been integrated into the tourism sector, further cementing the country’s crypto-friendly status.

Summary of Bhutan’s Digital Reserves

According to recent data, Bhutan’s proactive approach—which began with eco-friendly Bitcoin mining powered by hydroelectricity—has made it a significant global player.

By blending ancient values with cutting-edge technology, Bhutan is attempting to create a "Mindfulness City" that serves as both a physical economic hub and a digital pioneer for the rest of the world.

December 2025, Cryptoniteuae