- Bhutan plans to use up to 10,000 of its national Bitcoin reserves to finance Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- Bhutan holds approximately 11,286 Bitcoin, making it the fifth-largest national holder globally.
- The city will be developed in phases over 20 years with executive autonomy and legal independence.
Bhutan is preparing to allocate a portion of its national Bitcoin reserves to finance the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a flagship urban project intended to reshape the country’s economic future, according to a Cointelegraph report.
The Himalayan kingdom has confirmed plans to deploy up to 10,000 Bitcoin from its holdings to support the special administrative region launched in 2024.
This move places Bhutan among a small group of governments actively integrating digital assets into long-term development planning. It also highlights how Bitcoin mining and treasury management are being woven into the nation’s broader economic strategy.
Vision for Gelephu Mindfulness City
Gelephu Mindfulness City is located in southern Bhutan, near the Indian border, and is positioned as a new economic hub designed to curb youth migration out of the country.
The project aims to create high-quality jobs domestically and broaden opportunities beyond traditional sectors.
Official plans indicate the city will attract businesses across finance, tourism, green energy, technology, healthcare, and agriculture.
The special administrative region covers approximately 1,544 square miles, roughly 10% of Bhutan’s total land area.
The regulatory framework is specifically designed to offer greater flexibility for crypto and fintech companies while supporting the expansion of Bitcoin mining activities in Bhutan.
Officials describe the city as a testing ground for new economic models that balance innovation with sustainability.
Bitcoin Financing Strategy
According to Cointelegraph, the government said it is considering several approaches for managing the Bitcoin allocation, which is estimated at around $875 million in value.
Options under review include risk-adjusted yield strategies, treasury-style management, and long-term holding plans aimed at preserving and protecting asset value.
Authorities emphasize that funding for development will be managed in a stable, sustainable manner, supported by governance frameworks focused on capital preservation, oversight, and transparency.
Bhutan is the fifth-largest national Bitcoin holder, with most of its reserves accumulated through domestic mining operations.
Data from Bitbo estimate the country’s holdings at about 11,286 Bitcoin, valued at over $986 million at the time of the estimate.
The Gelephu plan represents the most concrete proposal to date for using this digital asset reserve to support public development.
National Bitcoin Policy
Using Bitcoin to help finance Gelephu Mindfulness City is part of Bhutan’s broader Bitcoin Development Pledge, a national policy designed to support long-term economic growth through mining and asset management.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has said the goal is to ensure the project benefits the entire population of more than 796,682 people.
As part of this approach, Bhutan is developing new land policies intended to protect landowners, prevent rising inequality, and secure shared national prosperity.
The city is presented as a collective national enterprise in which landowners are treated as stakeholders.
Because much of the land is state-owned, citizens from all dzongkhags (districts) are expected to share in the project’s success.
Governance and Implementation
A master plan and legal framework for Gelephu Mindfulness City have been unveiled, accompanied by the appointment of a governor and a governing board.
Site clearance and preparatory construction work have already begun.
The region has introduced crypto-based payments for merchants and tourism services and launched TER, a sovereign-backed digital token linked to physical gold.
The city is designed as an economic corridor connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia, with executive autonomy and legal independence.
Development will proceed in phases over the next 20 years, reflecting Bhutan’s long-term strategy to integrate digital assets, infrastructure investment, and governance reforms.