Bhutan launches TER on Solana, the first sovereign digital Token fully backed by national gold, aiming to connect traditional Capital preservation with blockchain technology.
The Kingdom of Bhutan has officially introduced TER, a sovereign digital Token marking a bold step in the Himalayan nation's digital economy strategy. Issued by the Gelephu Mindfulness City government and fully backed by physical gold reserves, TER becomes the first digital asset directly supported by Bhutan 's national resources, setting a new benchmark for Tokenize assets based on real value.
The name TER comes from the Dzongkha language, meaning treasure, reflecting the ambition to transform the way traditional reserve assets are managed and traded. The Token is Mint on the Solana blockchain, with Matrixdock, part of the Matrixport Group, serving as the technology partner specializing in commodity asset Tokenize . The choice of Solana demonstrates Bhutan's priority on transaction speed and low costs, two key factors in attracting international investors.
The operating model ensures transparency.
DK Bank, Bhutan's first digital bank, regulated by the Royal Monetary Authority and the GMC government, has been designated as the sole operator and custodian. In the initial phase, Token purchases will be conducted directly through the bank with an institutional-grade custodianship system, offering the same level of reliability as purchasing physical gold from a major financial institution.
This structure aims to ensure transparency and security for investors while leveraging the advantages of digital ownership such as instant transactions, clear asset traceability, and simplified tax issues.
TER targets international investors seeking a hedge asset in a volatile market, particularly appealing to those who want to combine the stability of gold with the flexibility of blockchain technology. GMC representatives affirmed that the launch of TER complements the nation's broader digital strategy, which includes integrating Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB into strategic reserves, deploying a national digital identity system on Ethereum with nearly 800,000 citizens using it, and activating Binance Pay for cryptocurrency payments in retail and travel.
Notably, Bhutan operates one of the earliest national Bitcoin mining programs utilizing renewable hydropower, making it one of the largest Bitcoin holders at the sovereign level. Bhutan's model could inspire other nations, with Kyrgyzstan setting a precedent by announcing plans to issue a gold-backed stablecoin in early 2025.
