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

cointelegraphPublished on 2026-07-31Last updated on 2026-07-31

Abstract

Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has appointed Canadian digital asset manager 3iQ to manage an undisclosed portion of Bitcoin from its treasury. This partnership, part of GMC's development as a digital asset hub, will see 3iQ establish a long-term presence, invest in local talent, and provide training. The mandate follows Bhutan's December 2025 announcement allocating up to 10,000 Bitcoin from national holdings to support GMC. Specific details on the managed amount, custody, or permitted investment strategies were not disclosed. Both parties emphasize a focus on responsible, transparent, and long-term institutional asset management as Gelephu aims to become an innovative digital offshore financial center.

Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has appointed Canadian digital-asset manager 3iQ to manage a mandate backed by part of its Bitcoin treasury as the special administrative region develops a digital-asset investment hub.

Under the partnership, 3iQ will manage an undisclosed portion of the Bitcoin allocated to support Gelephu’s development. The company will also establish a long-term presence in the city, invest in local talent and provide training and knowledge transfer.

In December 2025, Bhutan announced that up to 10,000 Bitcoin from the country’s national holdings would be allocated to support the GMC.

The latest agreement represents the next phase of the plan. Still, neither party disclosed the actual amount placed under management, the custody arrangements, or whether the mandate permits lending, derivatives and other yield-generation strategies.

3iQ CEO Pascal St-Jean said the firm would bring institutional discipline to the mandate and help put Bhutan’s capital to work “responsibly, transparently and for the long term.”

Gelephu board director Jigdrel Singay described 3iQ as one of the city’s founding institutional partners. The two organizations said further milestones would be announced as Gelephu works to establish itself as a digital offshore financial center focused on innovation, sustainability and institutional asset management.

Related: Bhutan’s GMC offers quick licenses, bank accounts to lure crypto firms

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Related Questions

QWhat is the purpose of the partnership between Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City and 3iQ?

AThe purpose of the partnership is for Canadian digital-asset manager 3iQ to manage an undisclosed portion of Gelephu's Bitcoin treasury to support the city's development, establish a long-term presence there, invest in local talent, and provide training and knowledge transfer.

QWhat was announced in December 2025 regarding Bhutan's Bitcoin holdings and Gelephu?

AIn December 2025, Bhutan announced that up to 10,000 Bitcoin from the country's national holdings would be allocated to support the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).

QWhat specific details about the management mandate were not disclosed in the agreement?

AThe parties did not disclose the actual amount of Bitcoin placed under management, the custody arrangements, or whether the mandate permits the use of lending, derivatives, and other yield-generation strategies.

QHow did 3iQ's CEO, Pascal St-Jean, describe the firm's role in managing the Bitcoin mandate?

APascal St-Jean stated that 3iQ would bring institutional discipline to the mandate and help put Bhutan's capital to work 'responsibly, transparently and for the long term.'

QWhat broader goal is Gelephu working towards, as mentioned in the article?

AGelephu is working to establish itself as a digital offshore financial center focused on innovation, sustainability, and institutional asset management.

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