Bhutan Migrates National ID System to Ethereum

By: Eliza Bennet

In a groundbreaking move, Bhutan is transitioning its national identity system to the Ethereum blockchain, marking a significant leap in adopting decentralized technology. This shift will enable the South Asian nation to leverage the immutability and decentralization afforded by Ethereum for managing the identities of approximately 800,000 citizens. This initiative underscores Bhutan’s broader commitment to technological innovation.

The migration of Bhutan's self-sovereign ID system to Ethereum from Polygon is a pivotal step in maintaining secure and verifiable digital identities. This transition will allow residents seamless access to government services and ensure that their credentials are securely stored on one of the world's leading blockchain networks. The completion of the entire migration is anticipated by the first quarter of 2026. The initiative was ceremoniously launched in the presence of Tshering Tobgay, the Prime Minister, along with Aya Miyaguchi, President of the Ethereum Foundation, and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. This collaboration highlights Ethereum’s expanding role in national infrastructural projects.

This strategic move by Bhutan doesn’t stand alone. It complements previous blockchain engagements where Bhutan assimilated Bitcoin mining and integrated cryptocurrencies into its state reserves. This diversification showcases Bhutan’s proactive stance in adopting cutting-edge financial and technological solutions to foster economic growth and resilience.

The integration into Ethereum not only sets a precedent as a first-of-its-kind for a nation pursuing such bold innovations but also signals the growing importance of blockchain technology in governmental processes worldwide. Bhutan's embrace of Ethereum for its national ID system exemplifies how countries can empower their citizens with secure and private identity management solutions using blockchain.