Bhutan Integrates Crypto for Tourism Boost, Aims for $1,000 Spend Per Tourist

Bhutan is aggressively embracing cryptocurrency, not only to modernize its financial infrastructure but also to attract high-value global tourists and foster a digitally resilient economy. At the Digital Bhutan panel, co-hosted by Binance, officials presented a clear vision: to integrate crypto into everyday life, moving it beyond theoretical discussions.

One of the key goals is to address the challenges faced by tourists who struggle with traditional payment methods like SWIFT. A tourism representative highlighted that Binance Pay can solve this issue, allowing travelers to use crypto for various purchases, including local goods. This initiative aims to encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more, leveraging Binance Pay’s extensive user base of over 40 million.

Binance CEO Richard Teng described this shift as a move from speculation to infrastructure. He noted that the average crypto tourist spends around $1,000, nearly three times the amount spent by a regular tourist, and that merchants receive instant settlements. With over 1,000 merchants already onboarded and zero fees on Binance Pay, Bhutan is building a community-driven, tech-savvy ecosystem that aligns with its values.

DK Bank, which played a pioneering role in Bhutan’s early bitcoin mining efforts, is now leading the charge in crypto adoption. The bank’s CEO emphasized that mobile and QR payments are already prevalent in Bhutan, making crypto a natural fit. This initiative is just the beginning, as more blockchain-native projects are in the pipeline, with digital assets formally recognized as a future growth engine. A representative from GMC stated that crypto is not a side experiment but a core industry for Bhutan.