Bhutan unveils gold-backed crypto visa for digital nomads

Bhutan launches a digital nomad visa with a $2,800 annual fee and a $10,000 gold-backed TER token deposit on Solana, offering remote workers flexible residency and travel.

Bhutan has introduced a digital nomad visa program, signaling a major shift from its traditional tourism policies. The initiative is centered around the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project and is operated in partnership with NomadClub. It targets remote workers, entrepreneurs, tech specialists, creatives, and self-employed professionals seeking a unique work-life environment. Applicants can obtain a 12-month renewable visa for $2,800 per year, extendable up to 24 months. There is no minimum income requirement or mandatory stay period. However, applicants must make a fully refundable $10,000 deposit in TER, Bhutan’s Solana-based stablecoin, with each token backed by 0.01 grams of physical gold stored in secure vaults. This program aims to attract new residents and capital to GMC, blending wellness, sustainability, and innovation. By waiving previous income and sustainability fee requirements, Bhutan is now more accessible to digital nomads. Despite the government’s adoption of Solana and asset-backed tokens, Solana’s price remains subdued as investors prioritize capital preservation.