Tldr:
- Bhutan becomes the first country to anchor its digital ID system directly on the Ethereum blockchain network.
- The aim is to complete the migration from Polygon to Ethereum in early 2026, so that a complete migration of the login details is assured.
- Aya Miyaguchi and Vitalik Buterin from the Ethereum Foundation attended the official launch ceremony in Bhutan.
- The project strengthens Bhutan’s strategy to build secure, self-sovereign identity solutions for its citizens.
Bhutan has taken a bold step step into the history of blockchain. The country has moved its national digital identity system from Polygon to Ethereum, becoming the first country to anchor such infrastructure in the world’s largest smart contract network.
The migration aims to improve transparency, resilience and citizen control over personal data. The launch was celebrated in Thimphu with representatives from the Ethereum Foundation, including Aya Miyaguchi and Vitalik Buterin.
The project positions Bhutan at the forefront of blockchain-based public systems.
Ethereum powers Bhutan’s digital identity system
Aya Miyaguchi, executive director of the Ethereum Foundation, shared the news on X, stating that the launch marked a “historic milestone” for the nation. She also attended the event Vitalik Buterinewhere Bhutan’s royal family and government officials commemorated the transition.
In her statement, Miyaguchi said Bhutan’s vision aligns with Ethereum’s core philosophy of building a digital future rooted in strong fundamental values. She first visited Bhutan in 2024 and described the move as an attempt to empower citizens through self-sovereign identity systems.
The new Ethereum-based system is now live and operational. According to the update, all credentials under Bhutan’s National Digital Identity (NDI) initiative will be fully migrated to Ethereum by the first quarter of 2026.
Bhutan’s GovTech and NDI teams worked with the ETH community to complete the integration. Miyaguchi credited contributors including Austin Griffith, Shiv Bhonde and others for their work behind the scenes.
A new milestone for Blockchain adoption
Polygon’s move to Ethereum signals Bhutan’s preference for a more decentralized and globally recognized blockchain network. Ethereum’s established security and developer ecosystem makes it a natural solution for national-level projects that require transparency and scalability.
Miyaguchi described the event as meaningful and coinciding with Ethereum’s tenth anniversary, a moment she said underscored how far blockchain technology has come from concept to real world use.
The project, which is part of Bhutan’s digital transformation strategy, could serve as a model for other governments exploring blockchain-enabled identity systems. As the system scales, Bhutan’s citizens will obtain verifiable digital credentials anchored directly on Ethereum.
The transition marks a new chapter in Bhutan’s long-term goal to merge innovation with its values of privacy, trust and national unity.
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