Bhutan Stakes $970K in Ethereum Through Figment, Expands National Crypto Strategy
In a move that surprised even seasoned crypto analysts, the Kingdom of Bhutan has quietly expanded its digital-asset strategy by staking 320 ETH—worth roughly $970,000—through institutional staking provider Figment.
This investment marks one of Bhutan’s clearest steps into the Ethereum ecosystem, signaling that the small Himalayan nation’s interest in crypto is not only genuine, but rapidly growing.
Bhutan: A Small Country With Big Digital Ambitions
Bhutan’s involvement in the crypto world first made headlines when leaked documents revealed that its sovereign investment arm, Druk Holding & Investments (DHI), was holding substantial amounts of Bitcoin and other digital assets.
Since then:
- Bhutan admitted to running Bitcoin mining operations powered by hydropower
- The nation partnered with Bitdeer to expand mining capacity
- DHI explored digital currencies as part of long-term national wealth strategy
- Plans for a CBDC pilot were quietly advanced with Ripple
Now, staking Ethereum marks the next step in Bhutan’s calculated move toward becoming a tech-driven digital economy.
Why Bhutan Chose Figment to Stake ETH
Figment is one of the largest institutional-grade staking providers in the world, trusted by:
- Google Cloud
- Coinbase Cloud
- State Street
- Over 250 institutional clients
By using Figment, Bhutan gains:
- Secure, non-custodial staking infrastructure
- Steady ETH yield (~3–4% APR)
- Low counterparty and operational risk
- Regulatory-friendly staking oversight
This aligns with the country’s cautious, long-term investment style.
Why Is Bhutan Staking Ethereum?
Analysts believe Bhutan’s ETH staking strategy is motivated by:
Diversification Beyond Bitcoin Mining
While Bhutan mines BTC using its abundant hydropower, staking ETH provides:
- Predictable returns
- Lower volatility
- No energy costs
Institutional Adoption Momentum
Ethereum remains the core infrastructure for:
- Tokenization
- RWAs
- Stablecoins
- Institutional DeFi
As sovereign wealth funds slowly enter crypto, ETH staking is becoming the “entry-level” strategy of choice.
Long-Term National Digital Strategy
Bhutan aims to become:
- A fintech hub
- A blockchain-friendly investment destination
- A leader in sustainable, energy-backed digital infrastructure
Staking fits perfectly into this roadmap.
How Significant Is a 320 ETH Position?
On paper, 320 ETH (~$970K) is small relative to many sovereign funds.
But for Bhutan’s economy—roughly $2.5 billion GDP—it is meaningful.
More importantly, it signals:
✔ A growing official crypto allocation
✔ Diversification across multiple blockchains
✔ Long-term commitment rather than speculative trading
This move could foreshadow Bhutan increasing ETH exposure over time.
A Global Trend: Nations Quietly Buying Crypto
Bhutan is not alone. Other governments have been quietly accumulating or supporting crypto initiatives:
- El Salvador — Bitcoin legal tender + national mining
- UAE — running Ethereum validator infrastructure
- Kazakhstan — large-scale mining investment
- Singapore — state-backed blockchain R&D
Bhutan’s latest move shows even smaller nations are beginning to position themselves for the digital future.
What Comes Next?
If Bhutan continues its playbook, expect:
- More ETH staking
- Validator setup inside the country
- Expansion into delegated staking
- Increased BTC mining operations
- Partnerships with global DeFi or blockchain infrastructure providers
Bhutan’s national digital strategy is no longer a secret—it’s unfolding in real time.
