Bhutan’s GMC Launches Fast-Track Licensing for Global Financial Firms

• The initiative allows qualifying enterprises to transition from application to full operational readiness in a far shorter amount of time.
• As part of the procedure, businesses who incorporate and get a license in GMC are given a corporate bank account with DK Bank, allowing them to start operating right away.

Today, Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan’s Special Administrative Region for economic growth, unveiled a new expedited license route for businesses currently subject to regulation in major international financial hubs, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

By combining accelerated regulatory assessment with instant access to banking infrastructure, the initiative allows qualifying enterprises to transition from application to full operational readiness in a far shorter amount of time.

Even after regulatory clearance, the majority of nations have distinct, sequential licensing and banking procedures, which can cause months of delay and no assurance of obtaining a bank account. In GMC, they are integrated.

As part of the procedure, businesses who incorporate and get a license in GMC are given a corporate bank account with DK Bank, allowing them to start operating right away.

This enables businesses to:

• Incorporate
• Receive regulatory approval
• Open a bank account
• Begin operations as a single, coordinated process

In accordance with their current regulatory status, businesses with licenses from reputable financial hubs including Singapore, ADGM, and Hong Kong will be qualified for expedited evaluation. The strategy is intended to minimize duplication, maintain high standards, and allow reputable companies to grow globally more quickly and confidently.

One of the most frequent obstacles to starting up is eliminated for businesses who get a license in GMC: a corporate account with DK Bank. From the beginning, DK Bank was created to assist internationally operating financial and digital asset firms, providing:

• Easy overseas transactions are made possible by multi-currency accounts in nine main currencies: USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, JPY, SGD, INR, HKD, and BTN.
• Financial services for digital assets, such as asset swapping and lendings backed by Bitcoin, allow digital asset companies to manage their liquidity effectively.
• Integrated digital asset on- and off-ramps that enable compliant transfers between fiat and cryptocurrency.
• GMC firms are eligible for a preferential cost structure that includes lower pricing after the first six months and completely eliminated banking expenses.
• Additionally, GMC provides a thorough tax and regulatory structure intended to encourage capital creation, long-term investment, and actual commercial activity.

Important characteristics consist of:

• Depending on the amount of business investment, targeted incentives for priority industries include 0% corporation tax.
• Territorial tax structure that is in line with major financial hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore
• Effective capital deployment and intergenerational wealth structuring are made possible by the absence of inheritance, dividend, and capital gains taxes.
• Tax advantages for foreign talent until 2030, promoting quick team expansion
• There are existing and growing double taxation agreements, such as with Singapore.
• In addition to taxes, GMC offers institutional infrastructure intended for global commerce:
• Structures for Variable Capital Companies (VCCs) that are more flexible and based on Singapore models
• To promote international investment and legal certainty, the International Dispute Resolution Center (IDRC)
• Singaporean-inspired common law systems with ADGM regulatory principles
• Simplified procedures for setting up family and business offices.

Jigdrel Singay, Gelephu Mindfulness City’s board member and head of digital assets and fintech stated:

“GMC is designed to remove friction from the system. If a company has already demonstrated credibility in leading jurisdictions, we recognize that – and enable them to move faster. This accelerated pathway, combined with immediate access to banking, fundamentally changes the setup experience. Companies don’t just get approved – they get operational. Our goal is to create a trusted platform for digital assets and financial innovation, where regulation, infrastructure, and execution are aligned from the outset.”

Yu Dong Zheng, CEO, DK Bank stated:

“The licensing process in GMC reflects a forward-thinking approach to digital assets, one that balances innovation with responsibility. As a custodian, we value jurisdictions that regulate and genuinely understand the infrastructure and risks behind this industry. What stands out in Bhutan is the clarity of vision: a commitment to building a trusted, transparent, and globally competitive financial ecosystem. The process has been rigorous, but equally collaborative, demonstrating that regulators and industry can work hand in hand to set a high bar for security, compliance, and long-term sustainability. Their support throughout the whole process has been consistent and thoughtful. We see this not just as a license, but as a partnership in shaping the future of digital finance.”

John Ge, Co-Founder & CEO, BIT (formerly Matrixport) stated:

“What differentiates GMC is the intentional design of the ecosystem and the alignment of regulation, banking, and operational readiness from day one. The accelerated review process is both fast and pragmatic, with the GFSO demonstrating a clear openness to engage constructively while upholding high standards. This materially reduces execution risk for firms entering a new market. At the same time, GMC offers a rare opportunity to be an early institutional player in South Asia, positioning credible firms for long-term growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.”

The deliberate ecosystem design and the early synchronization of banking, regulatory, and operational preparedness are what set GMC apart. The GFSO is clearly willing to participate constructively while maintaining high standards, and the expedited review procedure is quick and practical. For businesses venturing into a new market, this significantly lowers execution risk. In addition, GMC presents a unique chance to be an early institutional player in South Asia, setting reputable companies up for long-term success in a financial environment that is changing quickly.

Gelephu Mindfulness City is a Special Administrative Region of Bhutan that was created under a Royal Charter to act as a hub for international interaction and economic growth. It blends Bhutan’s long-term approach to governance, sustainability, and welfare with contemporary legal and financial institutions. The goal is to create a durable, competitive, and trustworthy economic system that is based on principles and implemented.

Gelephu Mindfulness City’s official bank is DK Bank, a well-known financial organization in Bhutan. DK Bank is developing new financial models for the digital era with the goal of expanding internationally and integrating innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric services.

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