3iQ to Manage Bhutan’s Bitcoin Treasury as Gelephu Mindfulness City Expands Digital Asset Ecosystem

Bhutan has taken another major step in its digital asset strategy. 3iQ Corp., a leading institutional digital asset manager, will manage a dedicated investment mandate backed by part of Gelephu Mindfulness City’s (GMC) Bitcoin treasury.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for Bhutan’s digital finance ambitions. It also strengthens GMC’s goal of becoming a global digital offshore financial center focused on institutional investment, blockchain innovation, and sustainable development.

Unlike a traditional asset management agreement, this partnership includes long-term investment in local talent, knowledge transfer, and financial infrastructure development.

Bhutan moves from holding Bitcoin to managing it

The agreement builds on Bhutan’s earlier decision to allocate up to 10,000 Bitcoin from national holdings to support the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Now, GMC is entering a new phase. Instead of simply holding Bitcoin reserves, the city will actively manage part of those assets through an institutional investment framework.

As a result, Bhutan is integrating digital assets into its broader economic development strategy. The focus is on long-term value creation, transparency, and professional governance.

Why 3iQ was selected

GMC chose 3iQ because of its experience in regulated digital asset investment products.

Founded in 2012, the Toronto-based firm has been a pioneer in institutional crypto investing. It launched some of the world’s earliest regulated Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) on major stock exchanges.

In addition, 3iQ has developed investment solutions for pension funds, family offices, asset managers, and institutional investors.

GMC officials said the firm’s institutional discipline and global track record were important factors in the selection process.

The partnership goes beyond treasury management

The agreement includes several long-term commitments. Specifically, 3iQ will:

• Manage a dedicated Bitcoin investment mandate
• Establish a permanent presence in Gelephu
• Invest in local talent development
• Support knowledge transfer and training
• Help build GMC’s digital asset fund ecosystem
• Contribute to the city’s financial infrastructure

Consequently, the partnership aims to develop local financial capabilities rather than outsource investment management.

Building a world-class digital asset hub

Gelephu Mindfulness City is Bhutan’s flagship economic transformation project. The Special Administrative Region is designed to combine digital finance, blockchain innovation, renewable energy, and sustainable urban development.

Furthermore, the project seeks to attract international investment while preserving Bhutan’s cultural values and environmental principles.

Digital assets have become one of GMC’s most important strategic priorities. Therefore, the partnership with 3iQ adds institutional investment expertise to that vision.

Institutional crypto adoption is accelerating

The announcement reflects a broader trend across global financial markets. Increasingly, governments and institutions are moving beyond retail cryptocurrency adoption.

Instead, they are focusing on institutional digital asset infrastructure.

That includes:

• Bitcoin reserve management
• Tokenized financial products
• Digital asset treasury systems
• Regulated custody
• Institutional governance
• Long-term crypto allocation strategies

Bhutan’s approach is different because it combines sovereign Bitcoin holdings with professional asset management.

Renewable energy strengthens Bhutan’s position

Bhutan has another important advantage. The country generates abundant renewable hydropower, which supports sustainable digital asset infrastructure.

As a result, GMC can align blockchain development with environmental goals.

This strategy may become increasingly attractive to global investors. In particular, institutional capital is placing greater emphasis on ESG standards and sustainable financial infrastructure.

A signal to global asset managers

The partnership also sends a strong message to international investment firms.

GMC is positioning itself as a jurisdiction capable of supporting institutional digital asset funds, professional asset management, and cross-border financial services.

Moreover, bringing in a globally recognized asset manager could encourage additional investment and partnership activity.

Officials said this announcement is only the first of several milestones expected in the coming months.

Market impact

For 3iQ, the partnership expands its role in sovereign and institutional digital asset management.

For Bhutan, it provides professional investment expertise and strengthens the credibility of GMC’s financial ecosystem.

More importantly, the agreement shows that Bitcoin is increasingly being treated as a strategic treasury asset that requires institutional governance and specialized management.

The collaboration between 3iQ and Gelephu Mindfulness City suggests that the next phase of digital asset adoption will be driven by institutional capital, sovereign participation, and regulated financial infrastructure.

As countries compete to attract blockchain innovation and global investment, Bhutan is pursuing a distinctive strategy. It is combining Bitcoin reserves, renewable energy, and institutional partnerships to build a new

generation of financial infrastructure.

If successfully implemented, Gelephu Mindfulness City could become one of the world’s most closely watched experiments in sovereign-backed digital asset finance

3iQ and Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance GMC’s Digital Asset Ambitions – PR Newswire

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