Bitcoin News

Story: Bhutan Uses Bitcoin to Boost Salaries and Curb Brain Drain

By Steven Anderson

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The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is turning to Bitcoin (BTC) to address its growing economic challenges.

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Bhutan’s population, estimated at around 800,000, has been dealing with an alarming exodus of its skilled workers.

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In a March 2025 interview, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay confirmed that the government had sold $100 million worth of Bitcoin in 2023 to finance salary increases for public…

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One reason Bhutan is uniquely positioned to make this strategy work is its abundance of hydroelectric power.

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Despite recent sell-offs, Bhutan still holds a sizable amount of Bitcoin. Data from blockchain intelligence firm Arkham shows the nation’s current holdings at approximately 8,190…

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Bhutan is not alone in exploring the potential of Bitcoin as a national asset. El Salvador, for instance, made global headlines by adopting BTC as legal tender and has since used…

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While Bhutan’s crypto-powered economic plan is attracting praise for its innovation, it also raises several risks.

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Despite the risks, Bhutan’s approach could serve as a test case for how digital assets might be used in public finance.

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In the end, Bhutan's bet on Bitcoin is more than just an economic decision—it's a bold statement about the future of finance.

The Currency Analytics

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