In a world where financial giants compete for control of the market, a small Buddhist kingdom hidden among the Himalayan mountains surprises with a bold and sustainable strategy: Bhutan has not only bought bitcoin (BTC), but has efficiently mined it , accumulating a treasure that redefines what it means to invest in the digital age. With a reserve of 12,218 BTC, valued at $1.2 billion and representing 34% of the national GDP, Bhutan, located in South Asia, has surpassed El Salvador, the first country to adopt BTC as legal tender, whose reserves reach 5,944 BTC. This achievement positions Bhutan as the fifth largest government holder of bitcoin in the world. In first place is the United States, followed by China, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, according to data from Bitcoin Treasuries. It all started in 2021, when the country, which borders China to the north and India to the south, decided to transform its energy surplus into a high-value digital asset. While many countries sought to recover from the cryptocurrency winter, Bhutan, through its sovereign wealth fund Druk Holding & Investments (DHI)started Bitcoin mining in the Himalayas.
BTC holdings by the Kingdom of Bhutan. Source: Bitcoin Treasuries.
Hydropower: Bhutan's secret weapon
The key to Bhutan's success lies in its abundant hydroelectric energya resource that not only makes it a carbon-negative country, but also a leader in sustainable mining. The country is dominated by deep valleys and steep mountains that make up the Himalayas, whose peaks reach over 7,000 meters in altitude. With a technically viable hydroelectric potential of 23,760 MW, enough to supply New York twice, the country chose to convert this energy into bitcoin instead of selling it at low prices. Currently, Bhutan mines between 55 and 75 BTC weeklygenerating weekly revenues of $3.6 to $4.9 million. Its partnership with major mining pools such as AntPool, Braiins, Foundry, and with Bitdeer, for environmentally sustainable and carbon-free Bitcoin mining, has allowed the country to mine a total of 27,727 BTC in just three and a half years.
The economic impact and lessons for the world
The success of this strategy is not merely speculative. Bhutan has used its bitcoin profits to finance a 50% salary increase for public servantsstrengthen its foreign exchange reserves and generate high-tech jobs. In addition, it has positioned the country as a model in sustainable mining, indicates The Token Dispatch. Bhutan has also shown that discretion is a virtue. Despite its success, the country has maintained a low profile, a valuable lesson for individuals and governments looking to invest in bitcoin without exposing themselves to unnecessary risks. This is said, because unlike other countries and companies, Bhutan does not constantly seek media attention. He does not engage in constant self-promotion and avoids large advertising campaigns. While it is true that bitcoin transactions are not completely anonymous, by avoiding making public statements about its bitcoin investments, a country can reduce public scrutiny. In addition to bitcoin, Bhutan has the equivalent of $2 million in ether (ETH), a cryptocurrency on the Ethereum network.
A blueprint for a sustainable financial future
Ultimately, the experience of Bhutan, a kingdom that was created in the 8th century, represents a unique combination of strategic planning, intelligent use of natural resources and long-term vision. This small Buddhist kingdom, which has nearly 800,000 inhabitants, has not only shown that it is possible to lead in the adoption of bitcoin in a sustainable way, but has given a lesson to the world on how to integrate technological innovation with economic development and care of the environment. environment. Let us remember that the Bitcoin mining industry has received strong criticism for its enormous consumption of electrical energy. In fact, in some countries there have been plans to ban them, while in others it is already illegal to mine.