Bhutan isn’t new to the world of digital assets. Its recently announced Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a Special Administrative Region aimed at promoting innovation and well-being, has officially added Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Binance Coin (BNB) to its national reserves.
Bhutan debuts world’s first crypto tourism payment system
Source Cryptopolitan
Bhutan has launched the world’s first national-level cryptocurrency tourism payment system. The new system is a collaboration between the Royal Government of Bhutan, Binance Pay, and Bhutan’s first 100% digital bank, DK Bank.
Dubbed “One Wallet, One Journey,” the system means that from now on, guests can use digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin to make payments for nearly all aspects of their travel — from booking flights and hotels to dining out and buying souvenirs or street food.
Bhutan embraces crypto payments to boost tourism and empower local vendors
Several local merchants across Bhutan have already adopted the system, allowing visitors to enjoy a cashless and cardless experience. This includes payments for airline tickets, tourist visas, Sustainable Development Fees (SDF), hotel bookings, monument entry fees, local crafts, and even fresh produce from roadside vendors.
Transactions are facilitated through a QR code. Travelers who carry Binance Pay can scan a code to pay instantly for essentials with supported cryptocurrencies.
The system supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and is designed to be fast and secure, featuring real-time transaction confirmations, two-factor authentication (2FA), and end-to-end encryption. With zero gas fees, it also offers a more cost-effective alternative to traditional credit cards and bank transfers.
Damcho Rinzin, the director of the Department of Tourism in Bhutan, said the system was more than just a payment solution — it was a clear statement of the country’s intent to promote innovation, inclusion, and efficiency while advancing the government’s vision of a digital society. He added that it also allowed small vendors in remote villages to benefit from the tourism economy.
Bhutan integrates digital assets into strategic reserves
The aim is to foster stability in payment systems and support the growth and innovation of a properly functioning digital asset environment.
This brave step expresses Bhutan’s economic vision based on gross national happiness (GNH) instead of GDP while embracing the potential of cutting-edge technology.
By creating crypto reserves, Bhutan wants to entice investment, enhance the financial system’s stability, and provide a blueprint for how small countries can adjust to a new global economy.
Laws and rules are being established to govern the use and custody of these digital assets. That makes Bhutan among the first nations in the world to formally embrace crypto in its economic plans.
Bhutan sparks global interest with crypto tourism innovation
Bhutan’s embrace of digital innovation is attracting attention around the world. The country has already been leveraging hydropower to facilitate eco-friendly Bitcoin mining. This places Bhutan in a very good position to become a green and sustainable crypto industry.
With this new tourism payment system, Bhutan again demonstrates leadership in global digitization.
Binance CEO Richard Teng praised the partnership with Bhutan, saying the collaboration marked a new level for using cryptocurrency in travel. He noted that it also set a precedent for how technology can unite cultures and economies.
Bhutan is building a new economic future for its citizens — in the cities and the rice paddies — that combines tradition with technology.
The new system offers visitors more flexibility and security, while local merchants receive payments faster and face lower fees.
The national crypto payment system also addresses common issues tourists face, such as limited access to cash, high exchange rates, and the lack of card acceptance in remote areas.
Now, a traveler can touch down in Bhutan, scan a QR code, and pay for everything in crypto — no cash, no card, and no hassle.
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