Bhutan is developing a low carbon bitcoin mining strategy anchored in hydropower.
The government uses surplus renewable electricity to mine bitcoin at scale.
Excess power is converted into digital assets instead of being curtailed.
Mining operations are managed by Druk Holding and Investments.
DHI acts as the sovereign investment arm of the Bhutanese state.
Officials describe bitcoin as a foreign currency style liquidity buffer.
Proceeds have supported public finances including government salary payments.
The central bank applies a tightly controlled regulatory framework.
Crypto activity is permitted only within designated jurisdictions.
Oversight is linked to the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative.
Authorities emphasise transparency and risk containment.
Bhutan’s energy system is dominated by hydropower generation.
Electricity exports to India form a major economic pillar.
National planning documents cite hydropower potential of thirty three gigawatts.
Domestic power demand remains far below total generation capacity.
Surplus electricity is available during seasonal peaks.
Bitcoin mining is used to monetise excess summer generation.
Officials describe bitcoin as a strategic energy battery.
Value can be converted back into imports or electricity when needed.
Bhutan partnered with Bitdeer to expand mining capacity.
The partnership included plans for a large closed end fund.
Operations focus on carbon free digital asset mining.
State linked bitcoin holdings were identified by analytics firms.
Holdings were reportedly generated through mining rather than seizures.
Onchain data is not treated as audited disclosure.
The Royal Monetary Authority supports a phased sandbox approach
Only GMC registered entities may mine or operate exchanges.
The framework limits retail exposure to crypto markets.
Gelephu Mindfulness City serves as a special policy zone.
Officials stress alignment with national environmental values.
Bitcoin mined with hydropower is framed as climate positive.
Risks include price volatility and fiscal uncertainty.
Transparency and governance remain key concerns for observers.
Bhutan presents its model as renewable led digital export strategy.
The approach links energy infrastructure with digital assets.
Long term success depends on disciplined reserve management.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $87,382.40.