Product Keynote: DK Bank

In a groundbreaking announcement at Breakpoint 2025, the Kingdom of Bhutan revealed it will become the first sovereign nation to launch a gold-backed token on a public blockchain. Named "TEH" — meaning "treasure" in traditional Bhutanese — the token will go live on Solana during Bhutan's National Day in December 2025, signaling a major milestone for both the small Himalayan nation and the broader crypto ecosystem.

Summary

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Bhutan, already known for its progressive approach to cryptocurrency through large-scale Bitcoin mining operations since 2019, is taking another leap forward in its digital transformation journey. The country's announcement of TEH represents the first time a sovereign nation has chosen to tokenize its most culturally significant asset — gold — on a public blockchain.

The choice of Solana as the underlying infrastructure speaks volumes about the trust Bhutan places in the network's capabilities. For a sovereign nation to stake its reputation and national assets on a public chain, the decision required careful consideration of security, scalability, and reliability. This move positions Solana as a serious contender for institutional and governmental blockchain applications.

The TEH token is designed with accessibility at its core, priced at approximately $1.30 per token (equivalent to 0.01 grams of 999 pure gold). This deliberate pricing strategy ensures that everyday Bhutanese citizens, not just wealthy investors, can participate in gold ownership. The initiative also includes a physical redemption feature, allowing holders of at least 20 grams worth of TEH to convert their tokens into physical gold coins or bars delivered anywhere in the world.

Beyond the token launch, DK Bank, representing Bhutan's financial interests, extended an invitation to crypto companies worldwide for banking partnerships, leveraging the country's established Bitcoin mining infrastructure and favorable cryptocurrency policies.

Key Points:

Bhutan's Crypto Journey and National Vision

Bhutan has quietly emerged as one of the most crypto-forward nations on Earth. Since 2019, the country has engaged in national-scale Bitcoin mining, amassing one of the world's largest Bitcoin reserves among sovereign nations. Earlier in 2025, Bhutan announced the inclusion of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in its national reserve — a bold move that few countries have undertaken.

The nation's approach to digital assets aligns with its unique development philosophy. Instead of pursuing traditional GDP growth, Bhutan famously prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH), believing that economic development should enhance citizens' well-being. The TEH token fits this ethos perfectly — it provides a way to embrace cutting-edge technology while preserving cultural traditions around gold, which holds deep significance for Bhutanese people and the broader two billion people living in the South Asian subcontinent.

TEH Token Structure and Accessibility

The TEH token's design reflects careful thought about democratizing access to gold ownership. At one TEH equaling 0.01 grams of 999 pure gold (approximately $1.30), the barrier to entry is remarkably low compared to traditional gold investments. This fractional ownership model enables anyone to begin building gold holdings without requiring significant capital.

The sovereign backing distinguishes TEH from other gold tokens in the market. Unlike private company-issued gold tokens, TEH carries the full faith and backing of a national government, potentially offering holders greater confidence in the asset's legitimacy and longevity. The token launches with a specific purpose beyond speculation — to blend economic development with technological advancement while honoring Bhutanese cultural heritage.

Physical Redemption Feature

One of the most innovative aspects of TEH is its physical redemption mechanism. Token holders who accumulate at least 20 grams worth of TEH can convert their digital holdings into physical 999 gold coins or bars. This bridges the gap between digital and physical asset ownership, addressing a common criticism of tokenized assets.

The redemption service includes secure worldwide delivery, meaning anyone globally can participate in this system. This feature transforms TEH from a purely speculative digital asset into a practical tool for gold accumulation and ownership, with the option to take physical possession whenever desired.

Global Banking Partnership Opportunity

DK Bank announced its intention to leverage Bhutan's established cryptocurrency infrastructure and favorable regulatory environment to offer banking services to crypto companies worldwide. This represents a significant opportunity for blockchain businesses seeking banking partnerships, which remain difficult to secure in many jurisdictions.

The combination of Bhutan's proven track record in crypto mining, its supportive policy framework, and its new venture into sovereign tokenization positions the country as a potential hub for cryptocurrency businesses seeking reliable banking relationships and operational bases.

Facts + Figures

• TEH launches on Bhutan's National Day in December 2025, making it the world's first sovereign gold-backed token on a public blockchain

• One TEH token equals 0.01 grams of 999 pure gold, approximately $1.30 at current prices

• Bhutan has been engaged in national-scale Bitcoin mining since 2019

• The country holds one of the world's largest Bitcoin reserves among sovereign nations

• Bhutan is the world's only carbon-negative country with 70% forest coverage

• The nation's electricity consumption is primarily powered by renewable hydroelectricity

• Bhutan has placed 800,000 national digital identities on blockchain for citizen services

• Bhutan became the first country to enable cryptocurrency payments throughout its tourism system

• Physical redemption requires a minimum holding of 20 grams equivalent of TEH

• The gold token is backed by 999 pure gold, the highest standard of gold purity

• Redeemed gold can be delivered securely anywhere in the world

• The token is designed to serve approximately two billion people in the South Asian subcontinent who traditionally value gold

Top quotes

• "For us, for the sovereign country, to tokenize the most valuable asset on the public chain, that means a lot to us. And that also says our trust that we place in Solana as a public chain."

• "The country would like to have economic development blended with the most advanced technology, but to preserve its culture and tradition."

• "We have made this token extremely accessible. One TEH is equal to 0.01 gram of 999 gold, which is approximately $1.30. So we ensure every day Bhutanese can assess this token."

• "Gold to the Bhutanese is a very valuable asset, not just to the Bhutanese, but also to the two billion people in the subcontinent, which is traditionally and culturally a very important asset."

• "Bhutan is the first country in the world to enable cryptocurrency among the country's tourism system. So you can go to the country to travel without using fiat money to pay anything."

Questions Answered

What is TEH and why is it significant?

TEH is the world's first sovereign gold-backed token, launching on Solana in December 2025. The name means "treasure" in traditional Bhutanese. Its significance lies in being issued by a national government rather than a private company, providing unprecedented legitimacy for tokenized gold. This marks the first time any sovereign nation has chosen to tokenize a national asset on a public blockchain, demonstrating both trust in blockchain technology and Solana specifically.

Why did Bhutan choose Solana for this token?

While the presentation doesn't detail specific technical reasons, the choice of Solana represents a significant vote of confidence from a sovereign nation. For a country to stake its national assets and reputation on a public blockchain, factors like security, scalability, transaction speed, and reliability would be paramount. The decision signals that Bhutan views Solana as sufficiently robust and trustworthy for governmental-level applications involving real assets.

How can someone redeem TEH tokens for physical gold?

Token holders who accumulate at least 20 grams worth of TEH can redeem their tokens for physical 999 gold coins or bars. The redeemed gold is then securely delivered to anywhere in the world. This feature addresses one of the main concerns about tokenized assets by providing a clear path from digital ownership to physical possession, making TEH more than just a speculative digital asset.

What makes Bhutan uniquely positioned for this crypto initiative?

Bhutan has been building its cryptocurrency capabilities since 2019 through national-scale Bitcoin mining. The country now holds one of the largest Bitcoin reserves among sovereign nations and has integrated cryptocurrencies into its national reserve. Additionally, Bhutan has implemented 800,000 national digital identities on blockchain and enabled crypto payments across its tourism sector. This extensive foundation makes the TEH launch a natural evolution rather than a sudden pivot.

How accessible is the TEH token for average investors?

TEH is specifically designed for accessibility, with one token equaling just 0.01 grams of 999 gold (approximately $1.30). This fractional pricing allows everyday citizens, not just wealthy investors, to participate in gold ownership. The deliberate pricing strategy aligns with Bhutan's Gross National Happiness philosophy, ensuring that economic developments benefit ordinary people rather than just the elite.

Is there a way to participate in the TEH launch from outside Bhutan?

Yes, the presentation extended an open invitation for interested parties worldwide to pre-register for the TEH token launch. While the December launch is primarily focused on Bhutanese citizens, international participation is welcomed. Additionally, DK Bank is seeking global banking partnerships with crypto companies, indicating Bhutan's intent to build an international presence in the cryptocurrency space.