Bhutan Becomes First Nation to Migrate National Digital ID to Ethereum Blockchain

Quick Breakdown 

• Bhutan becomes the first country to migrate its National Digital Identity system to the Ethereum blockchain.
• The project marks the culmination of a three-phase evolution from Hyperledger Indy → Polygon → Ethereum.
• The initiative supports Bhutan’s Digital Drukyul vision, merging innovation, privacy, and digital sovereignty.

 

Bhutan sets global record with Ethereum-powered digital identity

Bhutan has officially begun migrating its National Digital Identity (NDI) system to the Ethereum blockchain, becoming the first country in the world to anchor a nationwide digital identity on a public network. 

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 landmark move was confirmed on October 13 during a launch ceremony in Thimphu attended by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum Foundation President Aya Miyaguchi, and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, who became Bhutan’s first “digital citizen.”

From pilot projects to full Public deployment

The NDI system, established under the National Digital Identity Act of 2023, enables citizens to securely manage and verify personal credentials without disclosing sensitive information. Initially built on Hyperledger Indy, the system transitioned to Polygon in 2024 to integrate privacy-enhancing technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs and the CREDEBL protocol.

Bhutan’s final shift to Ethereum marks a decisive move from permissioned frameworks to an open, decentralized, and globally verifiable network. The GovTech Agency confirmed that system integration has been completed, with full credential migration expected by Q1 2026. Sensitive data will remain off-chain, while cryptographic hashes and verifiable credentials are securely anchored on Ethereum for transparency and auditability.

At the ceremony, Miyaguchi described the development as “a global step toward an open and secure digital future,” aligning with Ethereum’s 10th anniversary and Bhutan’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Strengthening digital sovereignty and innovation

This blockchain migration reinforces Bhutan’s “Digital Drukyul” vision—a national initiative designed to blend technological innovation with digital sovereignty. In partnership with the Ethereum Foundation and Bhutan’s GovTech Agency, the program will extend into developer initiatives, hackathons, and cross-border app integrations to expand on-chain public services such as identity verification.

Bhutan’s blockchain adoption extends beyond governance. Earlier in 2025, Gelephu Mindfulness City included BTC, ETH, and BNB in its treasury reserves, while a crypto tourism payment network was launched in collaboration with Binance.

While countries like Brazil and Vietnam continue testing self-sovereign identity pilots, Bhutan’s nationwide implementation positions it as a trailblazer in decentralized digital governance.