𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐨-𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒓𝒚𝒑𝒕𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚, 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

By Sonam Choden

Bhutan has recently undertaken a significant initiative in digital finance through a collaboration with Binance Pay, the payment platform of Binance, a global blockchain and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider. The initiative reflects Bhutan’s growing interest in integrating financial technology into its national development strategies, particularly in the tourism sector.

As part of this development, Bhutan introduced a new digital payment platform titled “One Wallet, One Journey,” which is tailored specifically for international visitors. The system allows tourists to use digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin for travel-related expenses, including airfare, accommodation, dining, shopping, and other local services. The platform enables a fully digital transaction experience using QR code scans. It supports over 100 cryptocurrencies and facilitates secure, real-time payments through two-factor authentication and end-to-end encryption, without charging gas fees.

To assess the practicality of this system, Bhutan recently hosted a group of international visitors from various markets. The curated itineraries showcased the country’s tourism offerings, including luxury lodges, cultural heritage sites, community-based stays, and local markets. All transactions during the visit were processed through Binance Pay wallets, illustrating the platform’s application within the country’s tourism infrastructure.
Max Zaharenkov, a travel content creator who was part of the group, shared his experience. “With Binance Pay, it became much more convenient for tourists like me visiting Bhutan. It made transactions and the overall travel experience easier and faster,” he said.

Since the formal launch of the partnership in May 2025, Bhutan has recorded rapid infrastructure development supporting crypto transactions. Within two months, the number of crypto-enabled vendors increased from approximately 100 to over 1,000. This growth indicates a shift in local economic practices and a rising interest among Bhutanese merchants in adopting digital payment systems. With these capabilities now covering a large portion of the tourism sector, Bhutan is positioning itself as one of the most accessible destinations for travelers using cryptocurrency.

The initiative is also intended to support economic inclusion by allowing smaller and remote service providers to take part in the digital economy. Damcho Rinzin, Director of the National Tourism Office, said, “Through Binance Pay, service providers receive instant payments for the services they offer, and we are looking forward to the potential this partnership brings.”

The platform addresses challenges often faced by visitors, such as limited card acceptance and high foreign exchange charges. Bhutanese tourism officials view the adoption of financial technology as a step toward broader national goals, including innovation, rural development, and the transition to a more digitally connected society.

Carissa Niamh, a member of the Executive Team of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, noted a key technical benefit. “One of the key features of Binance Pay is the automatic and immediate conversion from cryptocurrency to Ngultrum (BTN), which means there is no currency loss. It is a very stable and secure way of using crypto in Bhutan,” she said.
In addition to enabling crypto payments for visitors, Bhutan has integrated major cryptocurrencies into its national reserves. The initiative is linked to broader development efforts, including the GMC Special Administrative Region, which is envisioned as a center for innovation in digital financial infrastructure.

Guided by the principle of Gross National Happiness, which emphasizes well-being and sustainability, Bhutan continues to align its economic strategies with its values. The country also draws on its hydropower capacity to support environmentally conscious Bitcoin mining, combining technological advancement with environmental responsibility.
Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer of Binance, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative. He stated that Bhutan’s approach goes beyond transaction efficiency, focusing on building a digital financial ecosystem that empowers individuals, supports local communities, and enhances day-to-day experiences. According to him, Bhutan is offering a practical example of how digital solutions can improve both travel and local engagement.

Bhutan’s adoption of cryptocurrency payments through Binance Pay marks a strategic move aligned with its development priorities. By embedding digital currency options into tourism and infrastructure, the country presents a working example of how small nations can apply emerging technologies to promote inclusive growth, rural participation, and diversified economic opportunities.