Bhutan Bets Big on Green Crypto Mining
Bhutan is turning to green cryptocurrency mining to tackle economic challenges and youth unemployment, aiming to transform its abundant hydropower into a digital asset powerhouse.
The small Himalayan nation already generates 100% of its electricity from hydropower. Now, it’s using that clean energy to mine cryptocurrencies in an eco-friendly way. According to Ujjwal Deep Dahal, CEO of Druk Holding and Investments Ltd., the nation’s sovereign wealth fund, every coin mined in Bhutan offsets one produced with fossil fuels elsewhere.
“So a coin mined in Bhutan will contribute to the green economy,” Dahal told Reuters, emphasizing that their mining efforts directly support global sustainability goals.
Crypto Profits Supporting Government Salaries
Bhutan began investing in cryptocurrencies back in 2019 as a “tactical investment” and has already reaped substantial rewards. Two senior officials confirmed that proceeds from these investments have even been used to pay government salaries for the past two years.
The country is now exploring how these green digital coins could help major global corporations meet their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) targets. This initiative could open a niche market for “sustainable crypto” — tokens mined exclusively using renewable energy.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
In addition to economic gains, the Bhutanese government sees crypto and blockchain as vehicles for job creation. The nation is battling a significant brain drain, with over 10% of its youth emigrating between 2022 and 2023, pushing youth unemployment to 16.5%.
Training young people in blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) is now a key part of the government’s strategy to reverse the trend and build a future-ready digital economy.
Scaling Ambitions
Bhutan’s long-term vision includes scaling its hydropower capacity from the current 3.5 gigawatts to a massive 33 gigawatts, which would enable significantly more crypto mining and increase foreign currency liquidity.
With its unique blend of sustainability, innovation, and national well-being — as reflected in its famed Gross National Happiness (GNH) index — Bhutan is positioning itself as a global hub for environmentally conscious digital currency production.
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