Bhutan has taken another major step towards digital independence. The Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) platform has been successfully integrated with the Ethereum blockchain. The country plans to fully migrate the NDI to an Ethereum-based system by early next year. His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck graced the event marking the successful integration of NDI with the Ethereum blockchain.
His Royal Highness became the country’s first digital citizen in 2023.
Ethereum is powered by a global network of computers that verify and protect information, strengthening the NDI system’s reliability and resilience. The network enhances the NDI system’s security, transparency, and reliability.
Bhutan’s digital identity system empowers individuals to control their own information, eliminating the need for a central authority to manage or verify it. To make it safe and quick, Druk Holding and Investments said it needs a strong blockchain network.
“So far, we have been using a blockchain provided by Polygon. By moving to Ethereum, we are further strengthening the security of our digital identity. Ethereum is one of the most decentralised blockchains in the world, making it virtually impervious to disruption. This transition cements both the security and stability of our digital identity,” said Jigme Tenzing, the Secretary of the GovTech Agency.
The CEO of DHI, Ujjwal Deep Dahal said, “The other important aspect is really bringing the Ethereum community to Bhutan, which means we will have developers and coders building use cases and applications. NDI is the foundational layer of the digital economy, and on this foundational layer, we can build numerous applications. We hope that these applications will be developed through the collaboration of the Ethereum Foundation and the Ethereum community established in Bhutan.”
The Ethereum Foundation said it will support Bhutanese developers and help them take ownership of Ethereum initiatives in Bhutan.
The president of the Ethereum Foundation Aya Miyaguchi said, “We have identified talented local developers, and from here, it’s up to them. They can learn online, join projects, and collaborate naturally—that’s how the Ethereum ecosystem works. It’s not controlled by the Ethereum Foundation; anyone can participate. I hope to see more local ownership, and we will provide guidance and support wherever needed.”
With Ethereum serving as the backbone of NDI, the path to digital modernisation is not only possible but also secure, inclusive, and future-ready.
Devika Pradhan
Edited by Sangay Chezom
