GELEPHU (BHUTAN), January 13 2025 – Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan’s emerging Special Administration Region (SAR), has announced its plan to include digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and BNB as part of its strategic reserves. This move positions GMC as one of the first jurisdictions globally to officially integrate digital assets into its economic strategy.
The initiative aims to bolster the SAR’s economic resilience and aligns with its ongoing efforts in blockchain innovation and bitcoin mining. GMC will prioritise digital assets with high market capitalisation and deep liquidity to minimise price impact, selecting those issued on secure, mature blockchains to ensure effective monitoring of on-chain transactions.
Strategically located on the land bridge connecting the growing economies of South Asia, GMC is poised to support more than two billion people in the region, driving innovation and technological advancement.
This development follows the recent enactment of GMC Law No. 1 of 2024, or the Application of Laws Act 2024, which introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for companies offering financial services involving digital assets. The integration of digital assets into strategic reserves is part of a broader effort to foster a progressive and well-regulated digital asset ecosystem.
In March 2025, GMC will host a high-level meeting in Bhutan featuring senior government officials and industry leaders from around the world. The summit will discuss the role of digital assets in strategic reserves and establish an international advisory panel to guide GMC’s digital asset initiatives.
This forward-thinking strategy underscores GMC’s ambition to lead the digital transformation landscape and set a precedent for the adoption of blockchain-driven solutions in economic management.