Bhutan’s Secret Bitcoin Story: A Bold Move for the Future

While many countries debate Bitcoin’s role in their economy, the small Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has quietly been making bold moves in the bitcoin space. Unlike most governments, Bhutan has embraced Bitcoin as part of its national investment strategy, aiming to leverage the power of digital assets for economic growth.

How It All Began

Bhutan, known for its stunning landscapes and focus on happiness over GDP, has been secretly mining Bitcoin for years. Reports suggest that the country’s state-owned investment arm, Druk Holding & Investments (DHI), has been using hydropower—one of Bhutan’s key natural resources—to generate electricity for Bitcoin mining. This allows Bhutan to use cheap, renewable energy to earn Bitcoin without relying on fossil fuels.

Why Bitcoin?

Unlike traditional investments, Bitcoin provides sovereign wealth protection, meaning Bhutan’s reserves are not tied to traditional banking systems that can be influenced by external forces. By mining and holding Bitcoin, Bhutan is diversifying its economy beyond tourism and agriculture.

Bhutan’s crypto activities became public when the country was linked to bankruptcy proceedings of BlockFi and Celsius, revealing that Bhutan had been investing and mining Bitcoin for years—a move that had remained under the radar until recently.