From Polygon to Ethereum: Bhutan Completes National Digital Identity System Migration, 800,000 Citizens Step into the Web3 Era
The Kingdom of Bhutan has officially migrated its national digital identity system from Polygon to the Ethereum blockchain network, becoming the first country in the world to establish a national digital identity system based on Ethereum.
This move will enable approximately 800,000 citizens to authenticate their identities and access government services through the Ethereum network.
In a recent announcement by Aya Miyaguchi, Chair of the Ethereum Foundation, it was confirmed that the technical migration has been completed, and all residents' digital identity credentials will be transferred by the first quarter of 2026.
The significance of this important launch ceremony was unprecedented, with Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuk attending to witness the occasion, highlighting both parties' high regard for the project.
Blockchain national identity systems are gaining widespread recognition for their advantages in transparency and security, especially as zero-knowledge proof technology can achieve identity verification while protecting privacy.
Bhutan's digital identity construction began with the Hyperledger Indy framework and transitioned to Polygon in August 2024, now migrating again to Ethereum, aimed at further enhancing the credibility of digital governance infrastructure.
In addition to digital identity, Bhutan is also actively laying out its plans in the crypto asset sector. According to BitcoinTreasuries, the country currently holds 6,371 bitcoins, ranking sixth globally among government-held bitcoin quantities.
Moreover, this year Bhutan has partnered with the bitcoin mining company Bitdeer to raise $500 million to build a bitcoin mining facility powered by hydropower, with its national investment institution Druk Holding & Investments also participating in the project.
In summary, Bhutan is systematically advancing the application of blockchain technology, creating a unique development model in the fields of digital governance and the crypto economy, and providing a viable transformation path for other resource-limited countries in the Web3 era.
This development model, which deeply integrates cutting-edge technology into national governance, is redefining the competitiveness and voice of small countries in the digital age.
