Bhutan Secretly Built 4 State-Owned Bitcoin Mines, Investigation Reveals
• Forbes investigation reveals Bhutan has secretly built 4 state-owned Bitcoin mining facilities, identified via satellite imagery • Facilities located in remote, mountainous areas near hydroelectric plants to power energy-intensive crypto mining • Work on sites likely began in 2020; Bhutan saw soaring energy imports and usage in recent years • Bhutan's King sees Bitcoin mining as economic lifeline amid crises like declining tourism and youth unemployment • Bhutan believed to be only the 2nd country operating state-controlled crypto mines, after El Salvador