Bhutan has pledged up to 10,000 Bitcoin (approximately $1 billion) to support the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a new special economic zone promoted by the King as a hub for sustainable industry and employment.
The report reveals that the allocation was announced on National Day and was framed as a long-term effort to fund the city’s growth, rather than a quick sale of reserves.
Dr. King announces Bitcoin allocation
According to King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the pledge stands for “for the benefit of our people, our youth and our nation” and aims to make all Bhutanese “custodians, stakeholders and beneficiaries” of the project. This statement directly links Bitcoin allocation to government plans to support economic opportunities within Gelephu.
Driven by the vision of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Bhutan and Cumberland DRW have signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding to create a responsible digital asset ecosystem in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
This partnership focuses on sustainable digital asset infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/IJR7t3oHYl
— gmcbhutan (@gmcbhutan) December 15, 2025
Plan for digital reservations
Based on the report, officials said the 10,000 BTC will be held with the aim of preserving value while generating returns through a carefully risk-managed strategy, rather than liquidating the holdings immediately.
The government has also signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding with market maker Cumberland DRW to help build digital asset infrastructure and explore reserves management, stablecoins and renewable energy-based mining within the zone.
Concept image of Bhutan's 'Mindfulness City." Source: GMC gallery
City details and goals
Mindfulness City covers a very large area and is being pitched as an economic response to youth migration, falling birth rates, and lagging employment.
Previous reports described the plan as a mix of green energy, technology, tourism and regulated finance, with space set aside for vetted businesses and infrastructure projects such as airports and dry ports. Proponents of the project present it as a way to create more valuable work without abandoning Bhutan’s environmental and social objectives.
Partnerships and practical steps
The partnership with the City of Cumberland will focus on building market access and institutional-level operations for the city’s cryptocurrency activities, including experimenting with a national stablecoin and sustainable mining tied to renewable power, officials said. Local leaders have been seeking legal and investment partners to provide investors with a clearer route to projects in the zone.
Global impact and risks
Analysts say this is one of the nation’s larger moves to use Bitcoin as a development tool, and the pledge raises clear questions about governance, transparency, and the potential exposure of the public treasury to the cryptocurrency’s price fluctuations.
The report points to both opportunities and risks, with the fund having the potential to take on large-scale projects, but also requiring careful oversight to avoid losses that would negatively impact public services.
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