Hassan Maishera
TL;DR
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Bitget has signed an agreement with the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority to explore establishing a licensed operation in Bhutan.
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The agreement could help the exchange create a legal presence and apply for a financial-services licence in the autonomous economic zone.
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Gelephu Mindfulness City is a planned $100 billion hub focused on finance, technology and wellness.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has signed an agreement with Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority to explore establishing a licensed local operation.
The partnership could provide Bitget with an entry point into Bhutan’s developing digital-asset market while supporting Gelephu Mindfulness City’s ambition to become an international hub for digital finance.
Under the agreement, Bitget will assess the requirements for creating a legal presence in the city and preparing an application for the appropriate financial-services licence.
Bitget Considers Regulated Entry Into Bhutan
Bitget’s agreement with the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority represents an early step toward establishing a regulated operation in Bhutan.
The exchange is expected to evaluate licensing, compliance and infrastructure requirements before submitting a formal application. The agreement itself does not indicate that Bitget has already received regulatory approval.
A licensed presence could allow Bitget to provide crypto-related services from Gelephu while contributing its experience in exchange operations, technology and digital-asset infrastructure.
Bitget CEO Gracy Chen described Gelephu as an emerging centre for digital finance. She said the company intends to contribute operational expertise and support the development of local talent as the ecosystem expands.
Gelephu Mindfulness City is a planned autonomous economic zone with an estimated development value of $100 billion.
The project aims to create high-value employment opportunities across finance, technology and wellness. It is also seeking to attract international companies, investors and specialists capable of developing those industries.
GMC’s autonomous status is intended to support a specialized legal and regulatory environment that can accommodate innovative financial products and emerging technologies.
Bitget’s potential arrival would add a major cryptocurrency exchange to the growing list of digital-asset companies exploring opportunities in the city.
Bhutan’s Bitcoin Reserves Support GMC Development
Gelephu’s development is backed partly by Bitcoin from Bhutan’s national reserves.
The country has emerged as a notable sovereign participant in the cryptocurrency sector, using its energy resources to support Bitcoin mining and build a national digital-asset treasury.
Allocating part of those holdings to Gelephu could provide long-term financial support for infrastructure, investment and economic-development initiatives.
The strategy also makes digital assets a central component of the city’s plans rather than merely an additional financial industry.
Bitget’s agreement follows Gelephu Mindfulness City’s appointment of Canadian digital-asset manager 3iQ to oversee part of its Bitcoin treasury.
Under the mandate, 3iQ will manage an undisclosed amount of Bitcoin allocated to support the city’s development.
The company also plans to establish a long-term presence in Gelephu, invest in local talent and provide training and knowledge transfer.
The involvement of both Bitget and 3iQ indicates that GMC is building an ecosystem spanning cryptocurrency trading, institutional asset management and workforce development.
