Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City has introduced a new crypto framework aimed at accelerating market entry for fintech firms. The GMC crypto framework combines regulatory licensing and corporate banking access through a single application. Companies already licensed in Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, or Hong Kong qualify for an expedited review, and approved firms gain banking services via DK Bank.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City in Bhutan launched a new framework designed to provide faster market entry for crypto and fintech companies. GMC stated this integrated system combines regulatory approval and corporate banking into one application.
Firms licensed in Singapore, Abu Dhabi Global Market, or Hong Kong will qualify for a faster review process. This recognizes companies that have already met requirements in these established financial centers.
The framework allows a company to incorporate, apply for regulatory approval, and obtain a corporate bank account simultaneously. DK Bank will provide corporate banking to all firms that secure a GMC license.
Jigdrel Singay, a board member at GMC, said credible institutions from major jurisdictions should be able to move through the process quickly. “With the new integrated system, he said, approved companies would be able to become operational without having to face separate banking delays.”
Approved companies will receive multi-currency banking support across nine major currencies. These include the U.S. dollar, euro, British pound, and Singapore dollar.
Yu Dong Zheng, CEO of DK Bank, noted that finding a bank after regulatory approval is often the biggest obstacle. The bank will also provide digital asset services like Bitcoin-backed lending and crypto exchange infrastructure.
The framework also includes features like territorial taxation and the variable capital company model used in Singapore. This announcement aligns with Bhutan’s broader digital asset strategy.
In December 2025, Bhutan committed a total of 10,000 BTC to build up the Special Administrative Region. The nation has tied its Bitcoin holdings to its economic development plans.
In early 2026, analytics firm Nansen revealed plans to open an office within the GMC. John Ge, CEO of BIT, said the structure lowers execution risk for companies entering new markets.
The framework highlights increasing competition among jurisdictions for regulated digital asset businesses. It underscores banking access as a critical issue for crypto firms and infrastructure providers.
