Hermès Handbags Take the Spotlight at Auctions

Sotheby’s and Christie’s are offering a variety of purses online this month on the heels of a record-sale of a Hermès Himalaya Kelly handbag last week.

A Hermès Himalaya Kelly sold for €352,800 (US$353,400) at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris last week. It set a record for any luxury handbag sold at auction in Europe and the U.S., but fell short of the global record—a Himalaya Retourne Kelly bag, which sold for HK$4 million (US$510,000) last November at Christie’s in Hong Kong.

Touted as the “Holy Grail of handbags,” Hermès Himalaya Kelly is named after actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, who famously shielded her pregnancy using a Hermès bag. The bag has since become a status symbol, sought after by celebrities, socialites, and collectors alike. Orders for new versions, by appointment only, often take months or years to fulfil.

The one sold at Sotheby’s in Paris was produced by the French luxury goods firm Hermès this year. It’s one of an extremely small limited editions, offered only to VIP clients, according to Sotheby’s. Six bidders vying for the iconic crocodile-skin bag pushed the price to more than double its presale high estimate of €120,000.

In another online sale by Sotheby’s, a slightly older version of Himalaya Kelly, from 2021, has a starting bid of HK$1 million (US$127,388). Bidding will close on Oct. 13.

At Christie’s, a collection of more than 200 Hermès handbags from a private European collector, a longtime patron of Hermès, is being offered until Thursday with prices ranging from €500 to €14,000.

The collection includes several limited edition handbags and custom pieces. The highest priced lot is a Cognac ostrich skin Hermès Birkin bag from 2016, which carries a presale estimate between €12,000 and €14,000. A Vermilion Mouette leather Birkin, custom made in 2017, is offered for between €10,000 and €12,000. It has so far attracted seven bids with the highest bid at €10,000.

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to implement a national-level cryptocurrency payment system for tourism, marking a major milestone in digital innovation and travel.

Launched in partnership with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank, the system enables travellers with Binance accounts to enjoy a seamless, end-to-end crypto-powered journey. More than 100 local merchants, from hotels and tour operators to small roadside vendors in remote villages, are already live on the system.

“This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan.

“It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

Using supported cryptocurrencies, tourists can now pay for nearly every part of their trip, including airline tickets, visas, the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel stays, monument entry fees, local guides, and shopping, all through secure static and dynamic QR code payments.

Binance CEO Richard Teng praised the move, saying: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

Known as the “Kingdom of Happiness,” Bhutan has long prioritised Gross National Happiness over GDP, with a strong focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. The new system aligns with these values by reducing payment friction and bringing financial inclusion to local communities.

Among the key features of the system:

Seamless Experience: Tourists can pay with crypto for all travel-related expenses.
Inclusive Reach: Small vendors, even in remote areas, can accept QR code payments.
Lower Fees: Transactions cost significantly less than traditional payment methods.
Comprehensive Support: More than 100 cryptocurrencies supported, including BNB, BTC, and USDC.
Secure and Instant: Real-time confirmations, 2FA, and encrypted transactions via the Binance app.

Behind the local settlement mechanism is DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, it aims to deliver accessible financial services to all, including marginalised and unbanked communities.

The launch is being hailed as a bold step forward in integrating digital finance with global tourism — one that could set the benchmark for other nations looking to modernise the travel experience while empowering their local economies.

Hermès Handbags Take the Spotlight at Auctions

It’s a new season for Hermès handbags at auctions.

Bhutan is pioneering a new frontier in travel by allowing tourists to pay for flights, visas, hotels and even fruit stalls using cryptocurrency via Binance Pay.