- Bhutan integrates Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin into national reserves to stabilize payments and attract foreign investment.
- New laws regulate crypto custody, aligning with Bhutan’s happiness-focused economy to balance tech adoption and local needs.
Bhutan has introduced a cryptocurrency payment option for travelers, becoming the first country to implement a national-level system for tourism transactions. Developed alongside Binance Pay and DK Bank, the initiative allows visitors to use digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin for expenses ranging from hotel bookings to street food purchases. Dubbed “One Wallet, One Journey,” the program aims to simplify payments while reducing reliance on cash or credit cards.
Tourists can now scan QR codes at participating businesses to complete transactions instantly through Binance Pay, which supports over 100 cryptocurrencies. The system charges no network fees and employs security measures such as two-factor authentication and encryption.
Local vendors, including those in remote areas, have begun adopting the technology to attract travelers seeking convenience. Payments for visas, flights, entry fees to landmarks, and handicrafts are all eligible.
Damcho Rinzin, Bhutan’s tourism director, stated the project reflects the government’s broader strategy to modernize infrastructure and ensure smaller businesses benefit from tourism revenue. The move aligns with Bhutan’s recent decision to add Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin to its national reserves.
These crypto assets will support the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, a planned economic zone designed to attract foreign investment and stabilize financial systems through regulated digital currency use.
Laws governing cryptocurrency custody and transactions are under development, positioning Bhutan as an early adopter of formal crypto integration.
