Bhutan has made history by becoming the first country to introduce a national cryptocurrency payment system for tourism. In collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank, the initiative allows travelers with Binance accounts to use digital assets for almost every aspect of their trip. From booking airline tickets and paying visa fees to purchasing hotel accommodations and buying fresh fruit from roadside vendors, tourists can now experience a completely cashless and cardless environment in this unique travel destination.
The system, which has already integrated over 100 local merchants, uses either dynamic or static QR codes for secure real-time transactions. It supports more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, and USDC, and facilitates immediate settlement in local currency through DK Bank. This innovation is expected to streamline travel logistics while addressing long-standing challenges in cross-border tourism, such as high transaction and currency exchange fees, as well as limited acceptance of international cards.
“We’re not just advancing cryptocurrency use in travel; we’re setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies,” said Richard Teng, Binance CEO. Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism in Bhutan, added, “This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience. It enables a seamless experience for travelers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”
With Binance Pay supporting over 300 cryptocurrencies and serving tens of millions of users across more than 100 countries, the platform is well-equipped to deliver this experience on a national scale — reliably, securely, and without gas fees.
