Bhutan appears to be quietly scaling back one of the most unique government-led Bitcoin experiments in recent history.
Over the past 18 months, the kingdom has reduced its Bitcoin holdings by roughly 70%, dropping from around 13,000 BTC in October 2024 to just 3,954 BTC, currently valued at approximately $280.6 million.
Data suggests that about $215.7 million worth of Bitcoin has been moved out of Bhutan’s wallets in 2025 alone, with a large portion sent to unidentified addresses.
Recent blockchain activity highlights this ongoing trend.
Bhutan transferred approximately 319.7 BTC (worth about $22.68 million) to two separate addresses.
Around 250 BTC was sent to a wallet previously associated with sales routed through platforms like Galaxy Digital and OKX, while the remaining 69.7 BTC went to a newly created, unmarked address.
These transactions are part of a broader pattern of steady liquidation.
The country originally accumulated its Bitcoin through a hydropower-based mining initiative operated by its sovereign wealth fund, Druk Holding and Investments.
This project once stood as a pioneering example of state-backed Bitcoin mining—leveraging renewable energy in a small, landlocked nation with minimal legacy financial constraints.
However, signs now suggest that Bhutan’s mining operations may have slowed significantly or even stopped.
Blockchain data indicates that the last mining-related inflow exceeding $100,000 occurred over a year ago.
This raises the possibility that Bhutan is no longer generating new Bitcoin and is instead gradually selling off its existing reserves.
Notably, Bhutan’s strategy contrasts sharply with other major institutional and sovereign players.
While Bhutan is reducing its holdings, others are accumulating.
For example, Strategy recently purchased 4,871 BTC worth $330 million, bringing its total to 766,970 BTC.
U.S. spot ETFs absorbed around 50,000 BTC in March alone.
Meanwhile, the Ethereum Foundation chose to stake $93 million worth of ETH in a single day rather than sell, and even sovereign funds backed by gold have been increasing their positions amid global geopolitical tensions.
Bhutan stands out as the only sovereign entity actively liquidating Bitcoin at this scale.
The shift may largely be driven by changing economic conditions.
Bhutan’s mining operations were more profitable when Bitcoin prices were above $90,000 and network difficulty was lower.
Currently, with Bitcoin trading near $71,000, mining difficulty at record highs, and block rewards reduced to 3.125 BTC following the latest halving, profit margins for smaller-scale operations have tightened considerably.
Despite these developments, Druk Holding and Investments has not publicly addressed the situation.
Multiple attempts to contact the fund have reportedly gone unanswered, leaving uncertainty around the future of Bhutan’s mining activities.
In essence, what began as a bold national experiment in Bitcoin mining may now be transitioning into a gradual exit strategy.
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