For years, Bhutan has measured its economic and social development using uncommon currencies: happiness and sustainability.
But amid growing economic pains and a brain drain, the small, landlocked Himalayan kingdom is adopting a new emblem of progress, which is propelling Bhutan into a leading role, globally, in embracing financial innovation: Bitcoin.
Nestled between India and China, Bhutan – also the first country in the world to become carbon negative– has mined millions of dollars in the world’s most popular cryptocurrency in recent years, making an economic bet that almost no other country has, to the same extent.
So, why is Bhutan going big on Bitcoin? How is it mining the energy-intensive cryptocurrency? How much wealth in Bitcoin does the country hold? And is its move risky, given the wild fluctuations in prices that the digital currency has witnessed over the years?
What is Bitcoin and how do you mine it?
Bitcoin is…
