- Bhutan creates the first national crypto tourist payment system.
- DK Bank and Binance Pay accept 100+ coins.
- Over 1,000 merchants accept crypto, boosting Bhutan’s economy.
Bhutan boasts of the first national crypto tourism payment type in the world that enables travellers to pay their travel costs using more than 100 cryptocurrencies. The initiative launched on May 7, 2025, in partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank, enabling hassle-free purchase of airfare, lodging, visas, and local goods. The Binance application allows tourists to make a payment with Bitcoin, Binance Coin, USD Coin, and other digital assets in QR code form.
The system has been incorporated in the tourism sector of Bhutan, and it supports more than 1,000 sellers in the country. The DK Bank operates under the license of the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and automatically transforms crypto payments into local currency or USD so that the merchants do not experience any risk because of market volatility. The arrangement removes the high commission imposed in using the traditional payment process and provides cheap settlements within a day.
Damcho Rinzin, the Director of Bhutan Department of Tourism, said, This system is not only making travelling easy but also developing our economy. “It connects remote vendors to global markets.” The project is in line with the Bhutan tourism model that focuses on high-value, low-volume tourism of 300,000 tourists annually with an average expenditure of $ 1,000 per visit.
Crypto Tourism Payment System: A Game-Changer
The implementation of crypto tourism in Bhutan would be a massive one in the digital financial world. The system will allow a cashless travelling experience, including Sustainable Development Fees and snack food at street-side shops. More than 100 retailers comprising rural craftsmen have taken up the platform and have appreciated its availability. Binance Pay has 40 million customers, which gives Bhutan access to a large client base that is more attractive to tech-savvy travelers.
The alliance fills financial infrastructure holes, especially those vendors that cannot access mainstream banking. This initiative will mark a world record in the integration of digital assets into the industry of tourism, remarked Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance. It guarantees observance of anti-money laundering measures, and only qualified businesses are involved.
Bhutan’s crypto adoption extends beyond tourism. The country possesses more than 12,000 Bitcoins that can be worth nearly $600 million and has practiced state-sponsored Bitcoin mining since 2019. In addition to bolstering Bhutan’s digital economic ambitions, the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative adds digital assets to the country’s reserves.
Despite its crypto advancements, Bhutan still has a massive internet connection challenge. Poor and slow internet prevents its mass use, especially in rural regions. The following local feedback shows the grassroots concern about the tolerance of digital services being slow because of an underdeveloped network infrastructure. The government does not deny these issues, yet it does not step back in the pursuit of digital transformation.
The leadership of Bhutan, through King Jigme, sees cryptocurrency as the means of economic modernization. This has been in line with putting emphasis on Gross National Happiness by the nation, so as to improve on financial inclusion and sustainability. With the help of blockchain technology, Bhutan wants to achieve a sustainable economy and keep its cultural and environmental heritage.
