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Bhutan has pledged as much as 10,000 Bitcoin – about $1 billion – to support the event of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a brand new special economic zone that promotes the Crown as a hub for sustainable industry and jobs.
The allocation was reportedly announced on National Day and framed as a long-term commitment to fund town's growth, fairly than a fast sell-off of reserves.
King Announces Bitcoin Allocation
According to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the pledge is “for our people, our youth and our nation” and goals to make every Bhutanese “a custodian, stakeholder and beneficiary” of the project. The statement directly linked the Bitcoin allocation to the federal government’s plan to advertise economic opportunities in Gelephu.
Bhutan and Cumberland DRW have signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding to construct a responsible digital asset ecosystem within the Mindfulness City of Gelephu, guided by the vision of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
The partnership focuses on sustainable digital asset infrastructure,… pic.twitter.com/IJR7t3oHYl
— gmcbhutan (@gmcbhutan) December 15, 2025
Plan digital reserves
Officials reportedly say the ten,000 BTC might be held with the aim of preserving its value while generating returns through careful, risk-managed strategies – fairly than through immediate liquidation of holdings.
The government has also signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding with market maker Cumberland DRW to assist construct digital asset infrastructure and explore reserve management, stablecoins and renewable energy-based mining throughout the zone.
Conceptual image of Bhutan’s “City of Mindfulness”. Source: GMC Gallery
City details and destinations
The Mindfulness City covers a really large area and has been hailed as an economic answer to the brain drain, low birth rates and lagging jobs.
Previous reporting describes the plan as a combination of green energy, technology, tourism and controlled finance, with room for vetted firms and infrastructure projects equivalent to an airport and a dry port. The project sponsors present it as a approach to create higher-quality work without sacrificing Bhutan's environmental and social goals.
Bitcoin is currently trading at $86,397. Chart: TradingView
Partnerships and practical steps
Officials say the partnership with Cumberland will give attention to constructing market access and institutional operations for town's crypto activities, including experimenting with a national stablecoin and sustainable mining tied to renewable energy. Local leaders have sought legal and investment partners to present investors clearer access to the zone's projects.
Global impacts and risks
Analysts note that that is considered one of the state's larger moves to make use of Bitcoin as a development tool and that the commitment raises clear questions on governance, transparency and the potential threat to state coffers from cryptocurrency price fluctuations.
Reports point to each opportunities and risks: the funds could finance major projects, but in addition require careful monitoring to avoid losses that may harm public services.
Featured image from Visit Bhutan, chart from TradingView
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