The Kingdom of Bhutan has launched the Bitcoin Development Pledge program, committing up to 10,000 BTC (approximately $1 billion) to support the national economy.
Bhutan has announced a landmark Bitcoin Development Pledge, committing up to 10,000 BTC (≈ USD 1B) to support the long-term development of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
Guided by the vision of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the pledge reflects a values-led,… pic.twitter.com/b81D7ftiqJ
— gmcbhutan (@gmcbhutan) December 17, 2025
The primary goal of the program is to support the construction of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), an economic hub in the south of the kingdom focused on sustainable development and innovation.
In the coming months, the government will approve an asset management strategy. Options being considered include using Bitcoin as collateral, low-risk yield-generating instruments, and long-term storage.
The priority remains preserving capital and its purchasing power for future generations, as Bhutan bets on the continued growth of the first cryptocurrency’s value.
In an address to the nation, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck likened GMC to a company and its citizens to shareholders:
“I announce the allocation of up to 10,000 BTC, valued at approximately $1 billion, to support this policy. This is a commitment to our people, youth, and nation.”
GMC will receive the status of a special administrative region. Transparent regulation is intended to attract international businesses from the fintech and digital asset sectors.
The kingdom has been mining digital assets for several years using renewable hydropower. Mining allows for monetizing excess generation without harming the environment.
The country ranks seventh in the world in terms of digital gold reserves. It holds 5,984 BTC valued at over $517 million.
Bhutan is also actively adopting blockchain technologies. The country has launched a digital identification system for 800,000 citizens and introduced the TER token, backed by physical gold.
Earlier, GMC and market maker Cumberland DRW signed a memorandum of understanding. The partners will work on developing the kingdom’s digital asset ecosystem and financial infrastructure.