# Bhutan’s DK Bank Gets Preliminary Approval for Abu Dhabi Subsidiary

By John Kim

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/28168
Published: 2026-10-08T14:21:27.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-08T14:21:27.000Z
Section: Business

> The proposed unit would offer brokerage, custody, payments and advisory services linking Gelephu Mindfulness City with global capital and financial institutions.

On Oct. 8, DK Bank announced preliminary clearance to form an Abu Dhabi subsidiary overseen by the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, a move intended to connect Bhutan with global financial markets.

The subsidiary would offer brokerage, custody, payments and advisory services for global investors and financial institutions. DK Bank describes itself as the financial institution of Gelephu Mindfulness City, a Bhutanese development project focused on innovation, digital assets and sustainable development.

DK Bank said the approval would make it the first Bhutanese bank to receive preliminary regulatory approval for a financial-services presence outside Bhutan.

The in-principle approval does not permit the subsidiary to begin regulated activities. DK Bank must satisfy conditions that can include obtaining an ADGM commercial license, securing premises, opening bank accounts and capitalizing the entity before receiving a final Financial Services Permission.

The approval process therefore leaves the Abu Dhabi operation in a preparatory stage. The subsidiary cannot conduct the proposed regulated services until the final permission is granted.

DK Bank has also expanded its crypto-finance business in Bhutan. In March 2026, the bank announced a loan secured by Bitcoin (BTC) collateral with continuous valuation, custody and risk-management procedures.