Bhutan has emerged as the third-largest government holder of Bitcoin, quietly accumulating 12,062 BTC since 2020, now valued at just under $1.3 billion, as per data from Arkham Intel on June 27.
This trove amounts to nearly 40% of the Himalayan kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP), making it one of the most crypto-exposed nations on earth.
Bhutan’s Bitcoin holdings, long kept under wraps, are managed by the state-owned Druk Holding and Investments (DHI), the government’s commercial arm.
“For Bhutan, it was quite obvious in a lot of ways,” said Ujjwal Deep Dahal, CEO of DHI, in a rare public comment. Dahal noted that the nation’s abundant hydropower resources provided a clear path to low-cost, sustainable Bitcoin mining, a strategic advantage that few other countries can replicate.
Bhutan starts mining Bitcoin in 2020
Bhutan began mining Bitcoin as early as 2020, leveraging its green energy surplus to enter the crypto space with minimal environmental footprint. While several nations have dabbled in BTC holdings or regulation, Bhutan’s deep, long-term integration into the asset class sets it apart, not only in scale but in intent.
Bhutan’s holdings now surpass those of Ukraine and El Salvador, trailing only the United States and China in terms of on-chain government Bitcoin reserves.
In addition to its Bitcoin position, Bhutan also holds over $1 million in Ethereum, making ETH the second-largest digital asset in its portfolio. While modest by comparison, this secondary exposure reflects an intentional diversification strategy in the broader crypto market.
The implications of Bhutan’s strategy could be far-reaching. For a country long known for prioritizing Gross National Happiness over GDP, its foray into Bitcoin suggests a recalibrated economic vision, one that blends sustainable energy, financial innovation, and sovereign digital reserves.
