Bhutan said on Wednesday it will invest $1 billion from its national crypto currency reserves to develop a planned “Mindfulness City”. The project is intended to become a new economic hub for the small Himalayan kingdom.
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The Buddhist-majority nation, located between India and China, is known for prioritising “Gross National Happiness” over conventional economic growth. However, persistent unemployment has pushed many young Bhutanese to seek opportunities abroad.
To address these challenges, Bhutan announced plans in 2023 for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC). The proposed special economic zone is located near the Indian border and is designed to attract foreign investment.
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 government hopes the city will generate jobs and encourage skilled citizens to remain in the country. Officials see the project as central to reversing youth migration and diversifying the economy.
Bhutan has also focused heavily on hydropower development, exporting electricity to India for revenue. At the same time, it has used low-cost energy domestically to mine cryptocurrency, particularly bitcoin.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced the funding commitment in a national day address. He said the allocation would ensure that all Bhutanese benefit from the project.
“To support this policy, I am announcing today the allocation of up to 10,000 BTC, valued at approximately $1 billion,” the king said. He added that the investment was aimed at supporting the country’s people and youth.
🇧🇹 BHUTAN TO USE 10,000 BTC FROM ITS BITCOIN RESERVES
Bhutan plans to use up to 10,000 $BTC, worth nearly $1B, from its reserve to develop a ‘Mindfulness City.’
The nation currently owns around 11,286 BTC, making it one of the largest state holders. pic.twitter.com/dK4W6DdVbP
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) December 17, 2025
The monarch previously described Gelephu as a city built around sustainable and conscious businesses. The concept draws inspiration from Bhutan’s Buddhist spiritual heritage.
According to the World Bank, Bhutan’s GDP per capita stands at about $3,718. Its state-owned investment arm, Druk Holding and Investments, spent $539 million on cryptocurrency operations in 2021 and 2022.
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That investment accounted for nearly one-fifth of the country’s total GDP at the time. While Bhutan is known to hold substantial crypto assets, the exact size of its reserves has not been made public.