Bhutan’s central bank has launched a pilot program for a digital currency, the e-Ngultrum, in collaboration with a leading international technology firm. The move makes Bhutan one of the first South Asian countries to experiment with central bank digital currency (CBDC).
Authorities said the digital currency would improve financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas where banking access remains limited. They also believe it will strengthen transparency and reduce transaction costs.
For Bhutan, this is a step toward modernization; for regional reporting, it reflects South Asia’s growing digital economy.