21/12/2025
Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is launching TER (ter.bt) the world’s 1st sovereign-backed, physical gold-backed digital token, debuting on December 17, 2025, Bhutan’s National Day!
Named after the Dzongkha word for “Treasure,” TER reflects Bhutan’s tradition of safeguarding what is precious while advancing confidently into the digital era. As issuer of TER, GMC aims to set a new standard for asset-backed digital currencies by bringing physical gold on-chain with full transparency.
To ensure secure, regulated access, DK Bank —Bhutan’s first digital bank, regulated by the Royal Monetary Authority and the GMC Authority—will serve as exclusive distributor and custodian. TER will be issued on Solana’s enterprise-grade blockchain, chosen for speed, low cost, and minimal environmental impact. Matrixdock will provide tokenisation technology, leveraging its expertise in gold-backed digital assets.
In Phase 1, users can purchase TER directly through DK Bank, with tokens held in institutional custody. TER offers global investors a modern, tax-efficient way to access the stability of physical gold with the convenience of digital ownership.
GMC Board Director Jigdrel Singay said, “TER is a foundational step toward a values-driven digital economy rooted in real assets and sovereign trust. It demonstrates how innovation can flourish while honoring Bhutan’s principles of transparency, sustainability, and stewardship.”
Similarly, Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, said, “This collaboration shows how nations can use Solana’s energy-efficient technology to deliver high-quality, asset-backed digital products aligned with cultural values and regulatory standards.”
John Ge, CEO of Matrixport, added, “Our partnership with GMC reflects a shared commitment to building trusted, transparent, globally connected financial infrastructure.”
Bhutan continues to redefine digital sovereignty through major milestones, including:
* Integrating BTC, ETH, BNB, and other digital assets into GMC’s strategic reserves
* Anchoring the national digital identity system on Ethereum, enabling nearly 800,000 citizens to verify identities and access public services
* Adopting Binance Pay for seamless crypto payments across merchants and tourism
* Becoming one of the earliest nations to mine BTC using renewable hydropower, establishing itself among the world’s leading sovereign BTC holders.
