
May 7, 2025, Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan has become the world’s first country to implement a national-level cryptocurrency travel payment system, leading the future of tourism. Through this innovative mechanism, travelers holding Binance accounts will be able to experience a truly cashless journey. This initiative is a collaboration between Binance Pay and DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank, providing travelers using Binance Pay with a seamless, secure, and flexible end-to-end payment experience. Currently, over 100 merchants have integrated with DK Bank and Binance Pay. From booking flights to purchasing fresh fruits from street vendors, travelers can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of digital payments throughout their journey.
This innovative model allows Binance Pay users to pay for nearly all items during their trip to Bhutan using supported cryptocurrencies. This includes flights to Bhutan, travel visas, Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel bookings, tour guide services, entrance tickets to attractions, and local shopping, all of which can be paid quickly and securely via static or dynamic QR Codes.
Known as the “Land of Happiness,” Bhutan values Gross National Happiness (GNH) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is committed to sustainable development, cultural preservation, and social welfare. This innovative collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank is a significant step in realizing this vision, enhancing the travel experience through digital innovation, empowering local communities, and achieving a fusion of tradition and technology.
Key Highlights:
- Seamless Experience: Travelers can use cryptocurrency to pay for all travel-related expenses, including flights, visas, and local purchases.
- Travel Priority: The system fully integrates immigration, travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, and retail channels.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Even small businesses in remote areas can accept QR Code payments.
- Technical Support from DK Bank: Supported by Bhutan’s first fully digital bank.
- Low Transaction Fees: Cheaper than traditional payment methods, with no gas fees.
- Instant Transactions: Providing travelers with real-time, seamless cryptocurrency payment experiences.
- Comprehensive Support: Supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, and USDC.
- Secure Transactions: Conduct cryptocurrency transactions through the Binance app, with two-factor authentication (2FA) and instant confirmation.
Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao stated:
Bhutan Tourism Board Director Damcho Rinzin stated:
This collaboration marks the world’s first instance of travel products accepting cryptocurrency payments on a national level. By providing low transaction fees and instant settlement, it effectively addresses common barriers to digital payments, such as high fees and limited merchant acceptance. The instant notification feature further ensures transparency for both merchants and travelers in their transactions.
DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank, is responsible for the technical support of the local settlement mechanism. The bank is authorized by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and is dedicated to providing seamless, secure, and accessible financial services to all social strata, particularly marginalized groups and those without bank accounts, through modern technology and innovative means.
Binance Pay is a seamless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment feature within the Binance app, allowing users and merchants to pay, send, and receive cryptocurrency globally without incurring gas fees. Binance Pay supports over 300 cryptocurrencies, serving more than 40 million active users and 32,000 merchants. Binance currently has over 270 million registered users across more than 100 countries, making it the cryptocurrency exchange with the highest trading volume and user base globally.
The Bhutan Tourism Board is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in the country. The agency shares Bhutan’s unique landscapes, culture, and experiences with conscious travelers under the guiding principle of “high value, low impact” tourism.
This article is content provided by the official source and does not represent the views or investment advice of this site. Readers should conduct their own due diligence.
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