The Kingdom of Bhutan is advancing its digital transformation strategy by deploying and operating a validator node on the Sei Network in the first quarter of 2026. This initiative is a collaboration between the Sei Development Foundation and Druk Holding and Investments (DHI), Bhutan's sovereign wealth fund and primary holding company.
Phuntsho Namgay, head of DHI's Department of Innovation and Technology, stated the fund plans to continue exploring opportunities with the Sei Development Foundation as part of its digital goals. "This collaboration marks an exciting step toward strengthening Bhutan’s role in global blockchain innovation while unlocking new pathways for data valuation, scientific advancement, and financial technology," Namgay said.
Eleanor Davies, science and innovation lead at the Sei Development Foundation, indicated that future collaborations with Bhutan could include projects in payments and tokenization. "Our collaboration is a significant investment in national blockchain adoption, further expands Sei’s global validator footprint, and will set the stage for us to partner on innovative projects like payments, tokenization, and personal identification into the future," Davies explained.
This move is part of Bhutan's broader blockchain adoption, which includes a self-sovereign ID system powered by Ethereum for its nearly 800,000 residents. The nation also holds approximately 11,286 Bitcoin, worth over $1 billion, ranking it fifth among countries with the largest Bitcoin reserves, according to Bitbo data. Some of these holdings are earmarked for developing the Gelephu Mindfulness City special administrative region.
The validator operation represents a strategic, hands-on approach for Bhutan to build internal blockchain expertise and secure a governance role within the Sei ecosystem. Validators on proof-of-stake networks like Sei are responsible for processing transactions, participating in consensus, and maintaining network security by staking tokens, for which they earn SEI token rewards.
Bhutan's structured digital roadmap includes other initiatives such as research into a Central Bank Digital Currency (Digital Ngultrum), pilot programs for green digital credentials in sustainable tourism and carbon tracking, and the ongoing development of a national digital identity system.
