Bhutan has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with Cumberland DRW to develop the national digital asset infrastructure in Gelephu Mindfulness City. The agreement reflects a long-term drive to build a digital economy rooted in sustainability, governance and real-world use.
Key Takeaways
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Bhutan signed a multi-year MoU with Cumberland DRW to support digital asset infrastructure
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The partnership focuses on Gelephu Mindfulness City as a new economic hub
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Areas of focus include stablecoins, sustainable mining and institutional market access
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Bhutan already operates sovereign Bitcoin mining powered by renewable energy
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The initiative prioritizes long-term resilience, talent and responsible innovation
A strategic move to support Bhutan’s digital economy
The Memorandum of Understanding brings together Gelephu Mindfulness City and Cumberland DRW to support Bhutan’s digital asset strategy. Guided by the vision of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the partnership positions GMC as a future-proof economic zone built on sustainable growth.
The collaboration will focus on digital asset and financial infrastructure frameworks, including sustainable mining, AI computing, monetization of national digital assets and scalable stablecoin systems. It also supports Bhutan’s blockchain-based public services, including a national digital ID serves almost 800,000 citizens.
This strategic move is in line with Bhutan’s broader efforts to integrate blockchain innovation in digital assets within the economic framework of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Source: GMC
Gelephu Mindfulness City’s infrastructure-first approach
Gelephu Mindfulness City, a Special Administrative Region (SAR), combines mindfulness, sustainability and innovation. It also integrates Bhutanese values with global legal frameworks and leverages the Kingdom’s abundant renewable energy.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, GMC treats digital assets as foundational infrastructure. The focus is on long-term governance, institutional preparedness and alignment with national priorities.
Institutional and local implementation partners
Cumberland DRW, the digital asset arm of trading firm DRW, has been active in crypto markets since 2014. It provides liquidity and execution at an institutional level in the global markets.
“Bhutan’s clear vision and emphasis on sustainable development make Bhutan a natural partner for responsible and forward-looking innovation,” said Donald R. Wilson, Founder of DRW.
Green Digital Ltd, a GMC entity, will lead the efforts on the ground. It builds renewable energy computing facilities to support secure blockchain networks and AI workloads.
“From Gelephu Mindfulness City, we are committed to building a responsible, well-governed digital asset hub that supports Bhutan’s broader sustainable development and diversification agenda,” said Gelay Jamtsho, Chairman of Green Digital Ltd.
Bhutanese Digital Foundation
Bhutan is one of the world’s first sovereign Bitcoin miners, using excess hydropower to build a significant national Bitcoin reserve. It has enabled crypto payments in tourism and retail and integrated digital assets into GMC’s strategic reserves.
Bhutan has also launched TER, a government-backed digital token pegged to physical gold – a rare example of an asset-backed real-world sovereign token. These efforts highlight Bhutan’s deliberate, infrastructure-focused approach to digital innovation.