Key Takeaways:
- Bhutan has migrated its national ID system from Polygon to Ethereum, targeting full completion by Q1 2026 for nearly 800,000 citizens.
- The move leverages Ethereum’s decentralization and zero-knowledge proofs to enhance privacy, data control, and resistance to tampering.
- Bhutan, already the fifth-largest sovereign holder of Bitcoin, is deepening its blockchain integration and held undisclosed talks with former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.
Bhutan has officially migrated its national identity system to the Ethereum blockchain, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital modernization efforts.
The move transitions management of nearly 800,000 citizen identities to Ethereum’s decentralized and tamper-resistant network, after previously operating on Hyperledger Indy and later Polygon.
1/ Today, Bhutan celebrates a historic milestone, becoming the first nation to anchor its national digital identity system on Ethereum. 🇧🇹@VitalikButerin and I were honored to join the launch ceremony on behalf of the Ethereum community, graced by His Royal Highness. pic.twitter.com/KA4tOYbsJ4
— Aya Miyaguchi (@AyaMiyagotchi) October 13, 2025
The full migration of credentials is expected to finish by early 2026.
The launch event featured key figures including Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum Foundation President Aya Miyaguchi, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuk.
Miyaguchi called the integration a “world-first,” emphasizing its importance in advancing self-sovereign digital identity and data privacy through the use of zero-knowledge proofs.
Bhutan’s National Digital Identity and GovTech teams collaborated closely with the Ethereum Foundation and the local crypto community to implement the system.
The country’s embrace of blockchain extends beyond identity: Bhutan is the fifth-largest sovereign Bitcoin holder, owning over 11,000 BTC mined using hydropower.
Officials have reportedly explored additional crypto initiatives, including private discussions with former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao in September.
About The Author
Adam Morris, the co-founder of Crypto Head and a respected crypto expert, offers insightful commentary and analysis on cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the evolving digital landscape.
His extensive experience and features in top-tier publications like Forbes and CNN underscore his deep understanding of the crypto world and its future potential.
Check Adam out on: