Bhutan has launched the world’s first nationwide crypto-based tourism payment system.
Partnering with crypto payment unit Binance Pay, and DK Bank, Bhutan now lets visitors pay for nearly everything in cryptocurrency — from visa fees and flights to local handicrafts and fruit at a roadside stall.
This marks the first time a nation has integrated cryptocurrency payments across its entire tourism economy.
“We’re enhancing digital inclusion for rural and small-scale tourism businesses. We’re empowering artisans and vendors who might lack traditional payment infrastructure. And we’re reducing transaction costs and barriers,” a Bhutan Tourism spokesperson told Skift.
According to the spokesperson, the platform offers the lowest transaction fees available to tourists visiting Bhutan when compared with other payment methods.
Crypto-Ready Infrastructure, Already in Motion
The system is fully interoperable with Binance Pay, and more than 100 Bhutanese merchants have already signed on. Travelers can use QR codes to pay in more than 100 cryptocurrencies, while DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital, state-owned bank, converts payments instantly into Bhutan’s local currency, the Ngultrum.
For vendors, this means they don’t need to hold crypto or worry about price volatility. And for Bhutanese businesses, especially those in rural areas, it allows access to a global payment network, without the need for international banking links or expensive card terminals.
“This is more than a payment solution, it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” Damcho Rinzin, director of Bhutan’s Department of Tourism, said in a statement.
Bhutan’s broader goals around sustainability, equitable development, and reducing reliance on legacy banking systems led to the decision. The Bhutan Tourism spokesperson pointed to how the system directly supports the country’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy.
A Controlled Approach to Crypto
Addressing concerns on regulatory oversight, the spokesperson said Bhutan has put in place a robust regulatory and oversight framework for this system.
DK Bank, as the licensed digital banking partner, vets participating merchants, handles consumer checks, and ensures that all crypto is converted immediately to the Bhutanese local currency, Ngultrum. This “eliminates exposure to crypto market volatility for Bhutanese businesses,” the spokesperson said.
Only verified businesses are included in the network, and transactions are in compliance with anti-money laundering protocols.
Binance Pay supports over 300 cryptocurrencies and serves tens of millions of users across more than 100 countries. The company said it is well-positioned to operate such a system at national scale with reliability and security.
Digital Payments Reach Bhutan’s Rural Heart
But beyond the infrastructure, the real story is on the ground.
In villages where card terminals never arrived, QR codes and mobile wallets are transforming how money moves. “Vendors who never had access to payment infrastructure can now accept digital payments directly from tourists,” the spokesperson said.
“This has opened up new revenue streams for artisans, guides, and small guesthouses in more rural areas… Early feedback shows increased sales and market reach, especially from tourists who prefer digital, seamless transactions.”
Training and support are being delivered on the ground by DK Bank and Bhutan’s tourism department. For now, the tourism department said feedback is promising, especially from guesthouse owners and craft sellers in rural areas who’ve seen an uptick in sales from crypto-carrying visitors.
Bhutan’s Commitment to High-Value Low-Volume Tourism
“Bhutan remains committed to its high-value, low-volume tourism strategy, with the crypto payment system designed to support this model rather than shift it,” the spokesperson said.
Early adoption has largely come from tech-savvy travelers from countries with limited banking ties to Bhutan. According to the tourism department, visitors cite ease, speed, and low fees as major advantages. Crypto payments reduce friction around currency exchange and cash handling, especially useful for travelers from countries with limited banking ties to Bhutan.
“Tourists can focus on the experience, rather than the financial logistics,” the spokesperson said.