Key Insights
- Bitget Bhutan starts with a cooperation agreement to prepare for a future investment application in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
- If approved the exchange will create a local organization, recruit local talent and share their operational experience.
- Bhutan remains a digital asset-friendly jurisdiction with renewable energy and well-defined policy objectives.
The cryptocurrency exchange made further strides in its expansion efforts with the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority, with an eye on obtaining a license to operate in Bhutan’s growing financial hub. The framework aligns with the overall vision of Bhutan to develop a digital asset regulatory framework and will facilitate the establishment of local operations by Bitget.
The agreement does not provide for an instant operating approval. Rather, it is the basis on which Bitget will build a legal entity, apply for Financial Services Licence and collaborate with the local authorities on regulatory and ecosystem projects.
Key Detail Information
Exchange Bitget
Partner Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority
Planned location Gelephu Mindfulness City
Regulatory body Gelephu Financial Services Office
Licence required Financial Services Licence
Legal framework Financial Services Act 2025
Licensing plans are the first steps
The cooperation agreement explains how Bitget will follow the processes required prior to the launch of the regulated operations in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The company plans to create a legal entity within the Special Administrative Region prior to applying for a Financial Services Licence in the Gelephu Financial Services Office.
Both sides will also work together on operational planning, compliance requirements and on the further development of the ecosystem. However, every activity remains subject to regulatory approval.
Bitget also plans to establish a local office and recruit employees over time. The exchange said the expansion will support talent development and knowledge transfer while strengthening Bhutan’s growing digital asset sector.
Chief Executive Officer Gracy Chen said Bhutan combines regulatory clarity with long-term planning and renewable energy advantages. She added that the company intends to contribute exchange infrastructure, operational expertise, and workforce development as the ecosystem expands.
Bhutan remains on the path to establish a regulated crypto asset ecosystem
The deal is in keeping with Bhutan’s vision to build Gelephu Mindfulness City, into an international financial and innovation hub.
The Special Administrative Region is in the southern part of Bhutan and will be governed by Financial Services Act 2025 and other applicable regulatory frameworks. Every company offering regulated financial or virtual asset services must obtain a licence before beginning operations.
Board Director Jigdrel Singay said the city’s objective is to create a digital asset ecosystem supported by institutional standards, effective regulation, and sustainable economic value.
He added that international companies such as Bitget bring practical expertise while helping develop local capabilities and strengthen the financial ecosystem.
Bhutan has already gained international attention through its environmentally powered Bitcoin mining operations, which use surplus hydropower as part of the country’s economic diversification strategy.
Partnership is not limited to licensing.
The agreement isn’t just about regulatory approval.
Bitget will provide exchange technology, infrastructure expertise and experience in operation to support the financial ecosystem of Gelephu Mindfulness City.
The company is also planning to invest in capacity development by hiring local young people and training them professionally.Bhutan is still advancing its responsible adoption of digital assets with policy measures.
In December 2025, the country signed the Bitcoin Development Pledge offering principles for responsible Bitcoin adoption, institutional engagement and future development of regulatory systems.
The new collaboration is part of those commitments, and is bringing another international digital asset business to the country’s nascent regulatory regime.
Expansion mirrors Bitget’s geographical strategy
This Bhutan push is part of Bitget’s “jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction” regulatory strategy.
Earlier this year, the exchange went through the process of being registered on New Zealand’s Financial Service Providers Register and was continuing to meet compliance requirements in several overseas markets as well.
In contrast, Bitget recently announced its withdrawal from Japan as it has decided against seeking local authorization due to repeated warnings from the regulators.
The Bhutan pact is thus an example of a selective expansion model, based on the markets in which the company wants to operate under license and have a long-term presence.
Despite this, the co-operation agreement does not ensure final approval. Bitget will need to meet the licensing requirements before providing regulated services in Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Established global exchanges help Bhutan fulfill its aspiration to expand into a regulated regional hub for blockchain finance and to attract investors, employment and financial innovations.
Conclusion
Bitget Bhutan marks another step in Bhutan’s quest to establish a regulated digital asset industry with its international collaborations. The agreement is a licence agreement, local investments and ecosystem development framework, and final approval will be dealt with by regulators. As Bitget Bhutan is licensed, it will be one of the first institutions in the country to launch a digital finance exchange in Bhutan and help realize the country’s long-term goal of becoming a sustainable and globally connected digital financial hub from Gelephu Mindfulness City.
