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Bhutan’s Bitcoin Sell-Off Continues Into March 2026 — Here’s How Much It Has Sold

Published 25 March 2026
Prashant Jha
Authors
Edited by Insha Zia

Key Takeaways

  • Bhutan sold over $84 million’s worth of Bitcoin in March 2026 through structured transfers.
  • Sales started in July 2024 after accumulating thousands of BTC via low-cost hydropower mining since 2019.
  • Periodic sales support national projects like Gelephu Mindfulness City and reflect disciplined treasury management.

Bhutan has been quietly selling Bitcoin again—and doing it in a way most traders wouldn’t even notice.

Throughout March 2026, the country has offloaded tens of millions worth of BTC through a series of controlled, low-impact transfers.

No panic selling, no market shock—just steady, deliberate moves.

Behind it all is Druk Holding and Investments, Bhutan’s state-owned fund, which has been managing one of the more unusual sovereign Bitcoin treasuries in the world.

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Bhutan’s Bitcoin Sales Are Picking Up

What used to be small, periodic transfers has turned into something more noticeable this month.

On-chain data flagged by firms like Arkham shows a clear uptick in activity.

Early in March, Bhutan moved 175 BTC (about $11.8 million) into a familiar counterparty wallet. Nothing unusual on its own.

But a week later, things scaled up.

Bhutan BTC sales.
Bhutan continues to dump BTC. Credit: Arkham.

Between March 17 and 18, Druk Holding shifted 973 BTC, worth roughly $72 million, across multiple addresses.

Parts of that flow appear to have gone to QCP Capital and Binance-linked wallets, suggesting over-the-counter deals rather than open-market sales.

Add in a few smaller transfers, and Bhutan has offloaded more than $84 million in BTC this month alone.

That pushes total 2026 sales past $110 million so far.

Even after the drawdown, Bhutan still holds around 5,400 BTC—down from roughly 13,000 BTC at its peak in late 2024, but still one of the larger nation-state stacks out there.

This Didn’t Start Recently

Bhutan first began selling Bitcoin in noticeable volume around July 2024.

Up to that point, the country had focused almost entirely on accumulation through its state-backed mining operations. 

By December 2024, Arkham data showed it had offloaded 2,077 BTC, worth $163 million, in the second half of the year.

Those early sales followed the same low-key playbook of periodic transfers to institutional counterparties rather than dumping on open exchanges.

The pace picked up in 2025 and carried straight into 2026.

February 2026 alone saw about $30.7 million moved, including an 184 BTC transfer worth $14.09 million to the same bc1q-style address later used in March, plus two sends totaling around 200 BTC to QCP Capital and a 1.5 million-dollar USDT flow to a Binance hot wallet. 

On Mar. 10, the 175 BTC transfer worth $11.85 million arrived at the recurring counterparty wallet, lifting 2026 totals to $42.5 million at the time. 

Just over a week later, the Mar. 17 to 18 window brought the 973 BTC haul worth $72.3 million.

Reports broke down parts of it as a $44.44 million send to two unidentified addresses, a 20.5 BTC piece worth $1.52 million to QCP Capital, and flows toward Binance wallets

A very recent transfer of 519.7 BTC, worth about $36.75 million, to a Binance deposit address has kept the momentum alive as of late March. 

Each move has been executed with the same care, suggesting treasury managers at Druk Holding are working from a playbook rather than reacting to daily price swings.

Why Is Bhutan Selling Bitcoin?

Unlike most governments, Bhutan didn’t buy Bitcoin—it mined it.

The country has been running state-backed mining operations since around 2019, using surplus hydropower.

With cheap, renewable energy and low domestic demand, it had a natural edge.

By 2023, mining had ramped up significantly, with thousands of BTC added to its reserves.

At one point, the country built up a stash of around 13,000 BTC, much of it mined at a very low cost basis.

But things changed after the 2024 halving.

Mining became more expensive, rewards slowed, and it no longer made sense to keep stacking at the same pace.

Since then, mining activity appears to have tapered off.

At the same time, Bhutan started putting that Bitcoin to use.

One major factor is the Gelephu Mindfulness City project—a large-scale economic zone focused on sustainability and digital infrastructure.

Reports suggest Bhutan committed up to 10,000 BTC toward the initiative.

That doesn’t mean a full liquidation, but it does explain the steady need for liquidity.

The rest comes down to simple treasury management.

Bhutan is sitting on assets it mined at near-zero cost. Selling in phases—especially during strong price periods—locks in gains without disrupting markets.

And importantly, the timing doesn’t line up with panic or price crashes. There’s no urgency in the pattern.

A Different Kind of Bitcoin Seller

Bhutan’s approach stands out.

Most large BTC holders—especially governments—either hold passively or move funds in ways that spook the market. Bhutan has done neither.

Instead, it’s acting more like a disciplined fund: scaling out gradually, working with institutional desks, and avoiding unnecessary attention.

Even after months of selling, it still holds a sizable position worth hundreds of millions.

And if the current pattern continues, more of that Bitcoin will likely be sold the same way—quietly, steadily, and on its own terms.

Prashant Jha

Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.

His coverage spans major industry events, including the high-profile collapses of FTX, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), and LUNA, offering readers insightful analyses of their regulatory and market implications. Prashant’s technical background enables him to bridge the gap between intricate blockchain technology and its real-world applications, making his work accessible to novices and experts.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Prashant is an avid music enthusiast, often exploring diverse genres to unwind. A sports lover, he has a particular passion for cricket and frequently engages in discussions about the game. His multifaceted interests and sharp journalistic instincts make him a valuable contributor to CCN, where he continues shaping the crypto landscape's narrative.

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