Why Bhutan Went All-In on Crypto for Its Tourism Sector

Bhutan says it’s not chasing crypto fame, it’s only cutting travel friction. For artisans in remote villages and tourists sick of currency hassles, this is about ease. The system isn’t perfect, scaling it will be the real test.

Bhutan has launched the world’s first nationwide crypto-based tourism payment system.

Partnering with crypto payment unit Binance Pay, and DK Bank, Bhutan now lets visitors pay for nearly everything in cryptocurrency — from visa fees and flights to local handicrafts and fruit at a roadside stall.

This marks the first time a nation has integrated cryptocurrency payments across its entire tourism economy.

“We’re enhancing digital inclusion for rural and small-scale tourism businesses. We’re empowering artisans and vendors who might lack traditional payment infrastructure. And we’re reducing transaction costs and barriers,” a Bhutan Tourism spokesperson told Skift.

According to the spokesperson, the platform offers the lowest transaction fees available to tourists visiting Bhutan when compared with other payment methods.