May 14, 2026
By Shubhii Verma
Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a special economic zone created to attract global businesses, has introduced a fast-track licensing system for regulated digital asset and crypto companies. The new pathway is designed to help already-licensed firms from major financial hubs start operations in Bhutan much more quickly than in most countries.
Singapore, Hong Kong, and ADGM Licensed Firms Get Priority Access H2
Under this system, companies that already hold licenses from well-known jurisdictions such as Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and Hong Kong can apply for an accelerated approval process in GMC. Instead of going through long, separate steps for regulatory approval and banking access, the city combines both into a single, integrated review. This means that once a company is approved, it can also immediately receive a corporate bank account through DK Bank and begin operating without the usual delays.
Integrated Banking and Licensing Model Aims to Reduce Delays H2
Officials explained that in many countries, even after a firm gets regulatory approval, it may still wait months to secure a bank account. GMC’s model removes this bottleneck by linking licensing and banking together from the start.
Bhutan Offers Tax Incentives to Attract Digital Asset Companies H2
GMC is also offering strong tax incentives to attract companies. Certain firms operating in priority sectors can benefit from 0% corporate tax, depending on how much they invest in the region. The city follows a territorial tax system, meaning businesses are taxed only on income generated داخل Bhutan. In addition, there is no capital gains tax, dividend tax, or inheritance tax, and foreign tax exemptions are available until 2030.
According to Jigdrel Singay, a board member and the Digital Assets & Fintech Lead at GMC, the goal is to reduce friction for credible global firms. If a company has already proven itself in respected financial centers, GMC recognizes that credibility and allows it to move faster from application to full operations.
The broader aim is to position Gelephu Mindfulness City as a trusted hub for digital assets, fintech, and financial innovation by aligning regulation, infrastructure, and execution from day one.
This announcement comes at a time when Bhutan’s involvement in crypto is drawing attention. Earlier the same day, the Royal Government of Bhutan transferred around 100 BTC (worth about $8.2 million) to an unidentified wallet, adding to more than $230 million in bitcoin outflows this year, according to blockchain data tracker Arkham.
Bhutan had previously gained recognition for mining bitcoin using its clean hydroelectric power. However, recent data suggests that the country may have slowed or stopped its mining activity, as there have been no major bitcoin inflows for over a year.
TITLE: Bhutan’s GMC Launches Fast-Track Crypto Licensing for Singapore and Hong Kong Firms
DESCRIPTION: Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City has introduced a fast-track licensing system for regulated crypto and digital asset firms from Singapore, Hong Kong, and ADGM, aiming to become a new global fintech hub.
