Bhutan launches TER, a gold-backed sovereign digital token on the Solana blockchain, issued by the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Special Administrative Region and custodied by DK Bank, Bhutan’s first digital bank regulated by the Royal Monetary Authority.

In the initial phase, investors can buy TER directly via DK Bank, blending traditional asset familiarity with on-chain ownership and transparency.

The rollout fits a regional trend of asset-backed tokens, with Kyrgyzstan’s USDKG cited as a parallel development in Central Asia.

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Damcho Rinzin, Bhutan’s director of the Department of Tourism, says crypto payments help bolster tourism by improving payment infrastructure.

Bhutan’s government continues backing crypto adoption and blockchain projects as part of a strategy to become a regional cryptocurrency hub.

Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, emphasizes Solana’s role in enabling fast, cost-efficient, energy-conscious, asset-backed digital products within regulatory standards.

The move is part of a broader trend of using blockchain to connect physical assets to investors and stimulate digital economy growth.

The collaboration balances traditional values with cutting-edge tech to set a benchmark for sovereign-backed, asset-backed digital finance.

John Ge, CEO of Matrixport, notes Matrixdock’s role as a flagship RWA unit supporting GMC’s TER and emphasizes building trusted, transparent, globally connected financial infrastructure.

Bhutan’s broader crypto strategy includes holding Bitcoin and planning to hold Ethereum and BNB as strategic reserves, plus a National Digital Identity program anchored on Ethereum, with hundreds of thousands of citizens to receive credentials by early 2026.

Bhutan has mined Bitcoin with hydropower since 2019 and aims to modernize payments and boost tourism through crypto and blockchain initiatives.