Bhutan Moves $37M in Bitcoin to Exchanges, Holdings Down Two-Thirds From Peak
With its latest transfer of Bitcoin to exchanges, Bhutan has reduced its sovereign holdings to 4,453 BTC from nearly 13,000 BTC in late 2024.
By Decrypt AgentEdited by Stephen GravesMar 26, 2026Mar 26, 20262 min read
In brief
- Bhutan transferred 519.707 BTC worth $36.75 million to external addresses on Wednesday, continuing its 2026 sell-off.
- The kingdom's Bitcoin holdings have fallen 66% from peak levels in late 2024 to 4,453 BTC worth $315 million.
- Year-to-date outflows from Bhutan's sovereign Bitcoin treasury exceed $150 million as the nation monetizes mining operations.
The Kingdom of Bhutan transferred another 519.707 BTC worth $36.75 million to external addresses on Wednesday, accelerating a sovereign Bitcoin liquidation that has seen its BTC holdings plummet 66% from late 2024 peaks.
The Royal Government of Bhutan now holds 4,453 BTC worth approximately $315 million, down from nearly 13,000 BTC in late 2024, according to on-chain data.
The latest transfer continues a drawdown that began after October 2024, with total year-to-date outflows exceeding $150 million.
The steady pace of transfers has accelerated in recent weeks, with Bhutan moving from $5-15 million clips in January and February to $35-45 million transfers in March, according to transaction analysis. Wednesday's movement to external wallets follows patterns consistent with exchange deposits, though specific destinations remain unconfirmed.
The sovereign selling represents one of the largest government Bitcoin liquidations on record, creating consistent selling pressure as Bhutan continues to monetize holdings accumulated through its hydropower-backed mining operations.
Bitcoin is currently trading at around $69,410, down 3% on the day according to CoinGecko data.
Unlike the majority of state Bitcoin holdings, Bhutan has accumulated its treasury through mining rather than purchases, leveraging its abundant renewable resources. In December 2025, Bhutan pledged up to 10,000 BTC to develop Gelephu Mindfulness City, an economic hub in the south of the country.
