Bhutan Shifts National Digital Identity System from Polygon to Ethereum

Highlights:

• Bhutan shifts its National Digital Identity system from Polygon to Ethereum for better security.
• The integration strengthens citizen empowerment through blockchain-based self-sovereign digital identities.
• Bhutan ranks sixth globally in government Bitcoin holdings, with over 6,000 BTC in reserves.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is moving its National Digital Identity (NDI) system from Polygon to the Ethereum blockchain. This move will allow around 800,000 Bhutanese citizens to verify their identities and access government services safely online. 

Bhutan Shifts National ID System in a Global Move for Digital Empowerment

The initiative was officially launched on October 13 at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuk. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum Foundation President Aya Miyaguchi also attended the event. The new system follows self-sovereign identity (SSI) principles, using decentralized identifiers and cryptographic proofs. It lets Bhutanese citizens confirm details like age or citizenship without sharing private personal information. 

Miyaguchi praised the initiative as a “world-first” in national identity systems. She said Bhutan’s approach shows a strong, long-term commitment to empowering its citizens through self-sovereign digital identities. Miyaguchi said the technical integration with Ethereum is already complete, adding that the full migration of citizen credentials will finish by the first quarter of 2026.

Miyaguchi also called the achievement a “global step toward a more open and secure digital future.” Self-sovereign identity systems give individuals full control over their personal data without depending on centralized databases, she posted to X on Monday. By using blockchain technology, Bhutan aims to enhance privacy, security, and transparency in government services. 

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 country will use zero-knowledge proofs to protect user information while still enabling verification. While countries like Brazil and Vietnam are still testing self-sovereign identity projects, Bhutan’s full implementation makes it a leader in building decentralized public infrastructure.

Bhutan’s Blockchain Vision and Crypto Reserves

Miyaguchi mentioned that during her visit to Bhutan in May last year, she noticed a strong connection between Bhutan and Ethereum, as both share the belief that future progress should be built on solid foundational values. She noted that the milestone represents not only a national success but also a global move toward a more open and secure digital future.

Miyaguchi mentioned that Bhutan’s National Digital Identity and GovTech teams were key to the Ethereum integration. She also acknowledged the valuable contributions of other members of Bhutan’s crypto community.

Recent reports indicate that Bhutan may form new crypto partnerships following a meeting last month between government officials and former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. This move strengthens Bhutan’s image as a progressive nation that uses blockchain to boost economic growth and support digital independence.

Honored to be invited by His Majesty King of Bhutan🇧🇹 to enjoy a rare live performance by Yo-Yo Ma, in the mystical spiritual Himalayas mountains.

And talk shop about crypto. 😆 pic.twitter.com/tLf8zeJpi5

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) September 28, 2025

Bhutan has already been integrating blockchain technology into its digital economy and mining Bitcoin to expand its crypto reserves. Data from BitcoinTreasuries shows that Bhutan is now the world’s sixth-largest government holder of Bitcoin. The country holds 6,371 BTC, following the U.S., the U.K., China, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.