{"id":79239,"date":"2026-10-08T14:20:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T14:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/from-bitcoin-mining-to-global-banking-bhutan-eyes-abu-dhabi\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T14:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T14:20:10","slug":"from-bitcoin-mining-to-global-banking-bhutan-eyes-abu-dhabi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/from-bitcoin-mining-to-global-banking-bhutan-eyes-abu-dhabi\/","title":{"rendered":"From Bitcoin Mining to Global Banking, Bhutan Eyes Abu Dhabi"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News )<\/b><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"@container mb-[25px] rounded-sm overflow-clip py-0.5 pr-0.5 pl-2.5 bg-success-100\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-m overflow-clip rounded-[6px] !bg-success-10 p-3 @[420px]:p-m\">\n<h2 class=\"m-0 flex items-center gap-s text-[19px] !text-[#1c1c1c] md:text-[20px]\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 10\" fill=\"none\" class=\"shrink-0 text-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M1 1.5h14\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M1 8.5h10\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><span>Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul class=\"m-0 flex list-none flex-col gap-m pl-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">DK Bank told Bitcoin.com News that it received preliminary approval on Oct. 8, bringing Bhutan one step closer to a banking presence in Abu Dhabi.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Bhutan holds roughly 518 BTC today, while DK Bank looks to attract more foreign investment into Gelephu Mindfulness City.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">DK Bank still needs final regulatory approval before it can offer custody, brokerage, and payment services in Abu Dhabi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Bhutan\u2019s Digital Bank Sets Its Sights on Abu Dhabi<\/h2>\n<p>In a disclosure shared with Bitcoin.com News, DK Bank outlined the rationale behind the move, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/featured\/abu-dhabis-crypto-blueprint-draws-miners-funds-and-global-giants\/\">describing Abu Dhabi<\/a> as \u201ca key part of DK\u2019s international strategy, providing a gateway between the Middle East, Asia, and other global markets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The financial institution effectively serves as the financial backbone of <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/bhutan-launches-10000-btc-bitcoin-development-pledge-for-gelephu-mindfulness-city\/\">Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC)<\/a>, a special administrative zone envisioned by Bhutan\u2019s king. The ambitious project is designed to become a global center for innovation, digital assets, and sustainable development. In 2025, the bank <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/bhutan-goes-fully-crypto-for-tourism-in-historic-partnership-with-binance-pay\/\">joined forces<\/a> with Binance Pay to introduce cryptocurrency-powered, cashless payments for international tourists visiting Bhutan.<\/p>\n<p>The preliminary approval was granted by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the watchdog responsible for supervising financial institutions within <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/abu-dhabis-adgm-adds-usdt-to-approved-token-list-across-major-blockchains\/\">Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)<\/a>. Should DK Bank secure final authorization, it could establish a subsidiary providing brokerage, asset custody, payment processing, and financial advisory services.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a milestone for DK and for Bhutan,\u201d DK Chairperson Gelay Jamtsho told Bitcoin.com News. \u201cOnce final approval is received, Abu Dhabi will give DK a regulated international base connecting Gelephu Mindfulness City with global capital, investors, and financial institutions.\u201d The DK executive added:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cOur goal is simple: make GMC easier to invest in, trade with, and bank from\u2014and demonstrate that a Bhutanese financial institution can operate to the standards of a leading global financial center.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Bitcoin Holdings and Global Capital Shape Bhutan\u2019s Financial Ambitions<\/h2>\n<p>Bhutan is also known for <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/bhutans-sustainable-bitcoin-mining-fuels-salary-hikes-healthcare-initiatives\/\">mining bitcoin (BTC)<\/a>, and it is one of the few nation-states worldwide to hold bitcoin on its balance sheet. Held by the state-run Druk Holdings, Bhutan holds <a href=\"https:\/\/arkm.com\/explorer\/entity\/druk-holding-investments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">around 518.38 BTC today<\/a>. However, the country held a lot more in 2025, commanding more than 13,000 BTC in 2024, and it started 2026 with a touch less than 7,000 BTC. Funds from the sales go toward public service payments, health and wellness initiatives, and improving GMC.<\/p>\n<p>By establishing a foothold in Abu Dhabi, DK Bank aims to simplify how foreign investors channel capital into Bhutan, finance development projects, and conduct business across international borders. The bank sees the emirate as a strategic financial bridge, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/crypto-news\/binance-pay-expands-crypto-payments-to-3700-bhutan-merchants\/\">linking Bhutan<\/a> to capital markets across the Middle East, Asia, and the wider global economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe in-principle approval gives us a clear path towards establishing DK\u2019s presence in one of the world\u2019s leading international financial centres,\u201d DK\u2019s Group CEO Zheng Yudong explained. \u201cADGM will be an important part of that network and of DK\u2019s next phase of international growth.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>By establishing a digital banking presence within Abu Dhabi\u2019s regulated financial system, Thimphu is signaling an ambition to pursue international capital without relying solely on the slower machinery of multilateral finance. Nevertheless, the approval remains preliminary, and DK Bank must satisfy additional regulatory conditions and secure its final license before offering these services in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n<div class=\"not-prose my-3 lg:my-4\">\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] hidden md:flex md:flex-row md:gap-3 lg:hidden\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/bhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking\/\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] hidden lg:flex lg:flex-row lg:gap-4\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/bhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking\/\"><img alt=\"Bhutan Opens Accelerated Fintech Licensing With 0% Corporate Tax and Free Banking\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"object-cover\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" sizes=\"150px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 32w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 48w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 64w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=128&amp;q=75 128w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 256w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F05%2Fbhutan-opens-accelerated-fintech-licensing-with-0-corporate-tax-and-free-banking-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col justify-center gap-2\">\n<p class=\"m-0 line-clamp-2 text-base leading-[1.3] !text-[#67656E]\">Bhutan&#8217;s Gelephu Mindfulness City launched an accelerated licensing pathway on Tuesday, giving companies already regulated in Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/finance\/from-bitcoin-mining-global-banking-bhutan-eyes-abu-dhabi\/\">Source link <\/a><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News ) Key Takeaways DK Bank told Bitcoin.com News that it received preliminary approval on Oct. 8, bringing Bhutan one step closer to a banking presence in Abu Dhabi. Bhutan holds roughly 518 BTC today, while DK Bank looks to attract more foreign investment into Gelephu Mindfulness City. DK Bank [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":79240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79239"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79239\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}