Bhutan’s Gelephu taps 3iQ to manage part of Bitcoin treasury

Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has engaged Canadian digital-asset manager 3iQ to oversee a portion of its Bitcoin treasury as part of its efforts to develop a digital-asset investment hub. This partnership will see 3iQ manage an undisclosed share of the Bitcoin allocated to support Gelephu's development. Beyond asset management, 3iQ plans to establish a long-term presence in Gelephu, investing in local talent and facilitating training and knowledge transfer.

In December 2025, Bhutan announced that up to 10,000 Bitcoin from the national holdings would be dedicated to supporting the GMC project. The recent agreement with 3iQ represents a progression in this initiative, although specific details such as the exact amount managed, custody arrangements, or permissions related to lending and derivatives have not been disclosed by either party.

3iQ CEO Pascal St-Jean emphasized the firm’s commitment to applying institutional discipline, aiming to utilize Bhutan’s capital responsibly, transparently, and with a long-term vision. Jigdrel Singay, a board director of Gelephu, referred to 3iQ as a founding institutional partner of the city. Together, they intend to announce further developments as Gelephu advances its goal of becoming a digital offshore financial center focused on innovation, sustainability, and institutional asset management.