Bhutan Commits Up to 10,000 BTC for the Gelephu Mindfulness City Development

Bhutan has announced a commitment of up to 10,000 Bitcoin (BTC) to support the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which aims to thrive on principles of mindfulness, sustainability, and innovation. This ambitious pledge is aligned with the vision of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and reflects Bhutan’s strategy of responsibly integrating digital technologies for long-term benefits.

Key Takeaways

Bhutan pledges up to 10,000 BTC, valued at approximately one billion USD, for the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The initiative aligns with the vision of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, focusing on sustainability and responsible digital asset management.
Bhutan plans to use its renewable hydropower resources to mine Bitcoin, ensuring eco-friendly practices.
The GMC will operate as a Special Administrative Region, fostering collaboration with international fintech firms.
Bhutan has established a digital identity system and is integrating crypto payments into its economy.

The Future of Gelephu Mindfulness City

Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is envisioned as a new economic center in southern Bhutan, centered around mindfulness and sustainability. The cornerstone of this initiative is the commitment to invest up to 10,000 Bitcoin (BTC) to help establish GMC. This investment reflects a potential valuation of up to one billion USD in sovereign Bitcoin reserves, supporting the city's long-term growth.

This commitment aligns with the vision set forth by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. It signals Bhutan’s intention to adopt modern digital technologies thoughtfully and responsibly to benefit its citizens and future generations.

Responsible Management of Bitcoin

As Bhutan seeks to fulfill this long-term promise, it will assess various appropriate measures aligned with sustainability. Decisions regarding these measures will be made in the coming months. Proposed strategies may include collateralizing the kingdom's Bitcoin reserves, employing risk-managed investment techniques, and pursuing long-term holding strategies aimed at maintaining the value of its digital assets.

Good governance and thoughtful decision-making will guide all applications of Bitcoin. Bhutan places particular emphasis on protecting its capital, ensuring oversight, and maintaining transparency. Recognizing that Bitcoin's lasting value relies on its ability to accrue worth over time, the country prioritizes protecting its long-term potential while achieving steady development and positive impacts on its economy and society, especially for its youth.

Sustainable Energy and Bitcoin Mining

Bhutan is one of the pioneering nations to mine Bitcoin, utilizing its abundant renewable hydropower resources. For several years, Bhutan has mined Bitcoin in an environmentally friendly manner. The nation often generates more renewable energy than it consumes, allowing it to convert surplus energy into a long-term national asset without negatively impacting the environment. As part of its commitment to responsible Bitcoin mining, Bhutan will continue leveraging its excess renewable energy generated by its national utility.

Collaboration for Progress

The pledge to the Gelephu Mindfulness City enhances collaboration with responsible international businesses in the fintech and digital asset sectors. GMC is developing as a Special Administrative Region to provide regulatory clarity and foster a long-term, values-driven environment for cooperation and progress.

Given Bhutan’s reputation as a careful adopter of digital infrastructure, this announcement builds on its existing strengths. The country currently holds substantial national Bitcoin reserves generated sustainably.

Innovations in Digital Identity and Payments

Simultaneously, Bhutan has established a national digital identity system based on public blockchain technology, allowing approximately 800,000 residents to securely verify their identities and access public services. To enhance this foundation, Bhutan is implementing cryptocurrency payments in businesses and tourist services, integrating digital assets into GMC's strategic reserves, and introducing TER, a government-backed digital token tied to real gold. Collectively, these initiatives showcase Bhutan's systematic and forward-thinking approach to innovation, focusing on good governance, sustainability, and effective real-world application.

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck addressed the nation on National Day, reinforcing this vision.

For the complete details of the Bhutan Bitcoin Development Pledge, you can read further at this link.

The Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region is an ambitious project aimed at creating a world-class economic powerhouse in southern Bhutan. This initiative emphasizes mindfulness, sustainability, and innovation, integrating traditional Bhutanese values with modern legal frameworks, cutting-edge technology, and the Kingdom’s renewable energy resources to serve as a global example of holistic development. For more information, visit www.gmc.bt or email info@gmc.bt.