Bhutan Makes History as the World’s First Nation to Launch a National Digital ID on Ethereum
Bhutan turns into the first nation in the world to anchor its National Digital Id (NDI) system on the Ethereum blockchain. The historic milestone, graced by His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, marks a new period of digital sovereignty and safe, self-sovereign id for Bhutanese residents.
On thirteenth October, Bhutan has reached one other historic milestone in its digital journey. The Kingdom has formally built-in its National Digital Id (NDI) platform with the Ethereum blockchain. The announcement occasion, graced by His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, marks a vital leap ahead in Bhutan’s pursuit of digital sovereignty.
The NDI was first launched in October 2023 by His Royal Highness, who additionally turned Bhutan’s first digital citizen. With this initiative, Bhutan turned the world’s first nation to implement self-sovereign id at a nationwide stage, a transfer that positioned the nation at the forefront of digital innovation and belief.
A Royal Occasion Witnessing a International Partnership
At this time’s ceremony introduced collectively key figures together with Prime Minister Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay, Secretary of GovTech Jigme Tenzing, Chairperson of Druk Holding and Investments, Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin, and Ethereum Basis President Aya Miyaguchi.
The collaboration signifies Bhutan’s migration of its nationwide ID system from Polygon to Ethereum, enabling almost 800,000 Bhutanese residents to confirm their identities and securely entry public providers.
“It’s deeply inspiring to see a nation commit to empowering its residents with self-sovereign id,” shared Aya Miyaguchi on X, highlighting the Ethereum integration as a world-first achievement.
From Polygon to Ethereum: Strengthening Safety and Belief
Bhutan’s NDI mission has been evolving quickly. Initially constructed on Hyperledger Indy, it transitioned to Polygon in August 2024, and now, the system is being migrated to Ethereum to improve decentralisation and safety.
Jigme Tenzing, Secretary of the GovTech Company, said that the authorities is “additional strengthening” the digital ID system by shifting to Ethereum. “By shifting to Ethereum, we’re additional strengthening the safety of our digital id,” he emphasised.
The combination with Ethereum has already been accomplished, and the full migration of all digital credentials is predicted by the first quarter of 2026.
Bhutan Leads the World in Blockchain Governance
Bhutan’s transition to Ethereum makes it the first nation to anchor its nationwide digital id system on the Ethereum blockchain. “After I first visited Bhutan in Might 2024, I felt a sturdy resonance between Bhutan and Ethereum: each imagine that visions for the future have to be grounded in sturdy foundational values,” stated Aya Miyaguchi. “This milestone marks not solely a nationwide achievement however a international step towards a extra open and safe digital future for the long run.”
The transfer reinforces Bhutan’s fame as a international pioneer in digital governance, particularly with its integration of blockchain expertise in public infrastructure. The immutable, clear, and privacy-preserving options of Ethereum — notably when enhanced by zero-knowledge proofs — make it a great platform for nationwide digital id methods.
Bhutan’s Quiet Rise in the International Crypto Sphere
Past digital id, Bhutan has steadily established itself as a chief in the crypto house. Recognized for measuring progress by way of Gross National Happiness somewhat than GDP, Bhutan has adopted blockchain expertise in concord with its nationwide values.
The nation has been mining Bitcoin utilizing renewable hydropower and is at present amongst the world’s prime Bitcoin-holding nations. In accordance to BitBo’s Bitcoin Treasuries information, Bhutan holds roughly 11,286 Bitcoin value $1.31 billion — rating behind the US, China, the UK, and Ukraine.
Bhutan’s rising presence in the digital asset sphere continues to draw international consideration, following its earlier adoption of Binance Pay for seamless crypto transactions throughout choose retailers and tourism providers.
A Future Anchored in Values and Innovation
As Bhutan completes its migration to Ethereum, it stands as a exceptional instance of how a small Himalayan kingdom can lead international conversations on belief, id, and expertise.
By combining visionary management, cutting-edge blockchain innovation, and a deep-rooted dedication to nationwide values, Bhutan continues to redefine what digital sovereignty means in the twenty first century, not only for its residents, however for the world.
What’s Zero Information Proof?
Zero-knowledge proof, typically shortened as ZKP, is a intelligent means of proving that one thing is true with out revealing the precise data behind it. Consider it like exhibiting your good friend that you recognize the password to your e-mail account with out ever telling them what the password is. In the context of Bhutan’s National Digital Id, this implies you could possibly confirm who you might be—or show sure particulars about your self—with out having to share all of your private information.
What Would it not Imply for the Bhutanese?
For instance, when making use of for a authorities service or checking into a lodge, you could possibly show that you simply’re above 18, or that you simply’re a Bhutanese citizen, with out revealing your full date of start or CID quantity. This protects your privateness whereas nonetheless permitting establishments to belief your id. In every day life, Bhutanese residents would possibly use their NDI app to entry hospitals, banks, or public providers with simply a safe digital affirmation, making interactions sooner, safer, and extra personal, no extra photocopying ID playing cards or filling out limitless varieties.
