Editing Economy of Bhutan (section)

== Modern economic resources ==
Since the early 2020s, Bhutan has adopted [[cryptocurrency]], particularly [[Bitcoin]], as a strategic economic resource. Facing declining tourism revenue, youth unemployment (which reached 19% in 2024), and a growing brain drain, the government began [[Bitcoin protocol|mining Bitcoin]] using surplus hydropower during high-flow summer months. By 2023, Bhutan had sold $100 million in cryptocurrency to double civil servant salaries, leading to a drop in resignations. As of April 2025, [[Blockchain analysis|blockchain analysts]] estimate Bhutan's Bitcoin holdings at over $600 million; around 30% of its GDP. Mining is powered by the kingdom's carbon-negative hydropower and cool climate, aligning with its environmental values. Bhutan also plans to develop [[Gelephu|Gelephu Mindfulness City]], a sustainable economic hub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shamim |first=Sarah |title=Can Bitcoin save Bhutan’s struggling economy? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/4/14/bitcoin-king-why-is-bhutan-betting-on-crypto |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>