Bermuda Plans to Bring Its Economy On-Chain With Support From Coinbase and Circle
Bermuda has announced plans to transition its national economy toward blockchain-based financial infrastructure, partnering with Coinbase and Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin. The initiative was unveiled at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, positioning the island nation as a potential pioneer in state-level digital finance adoption.
The government said the initiative aims to build what it described as the world’s first fully on-chain national economy, leveraging digital assets as part of everyday financial activity across the public and private sectors.
Public-Private Collaboration at the Core of the Strategy
Under the plan, Coinbase and Circle will provide digital asset infrastructure support for Bermuda’s government operations, local banks, insurers, and consumers. The focus is on integrating blockchain technology into existing financial systems rather than creating parallel frameworks.
Bermuda’s Premier E. David Burt said the country’s approach is rooted in regulatory clarity and collaboration between government and industry, emphasizing that digital finance should create tangible benefits for citizens and businesses.
Stablecoin Payments and Tokenization Pilots to Launch First
The initial phase of the initiative will see government agencies testing stablecoin-based payments, while financial institutions explore tokenization tools for financial services. The announcement also outlined plans for nationwide digital literacy programs, with Coinbase and Circle expected to support education, onboarding, and technical training.
According to the government, the broader objective is to reduce transaction costs, improve efficiency, and expand access to global financial networks for Bermudian businesses and residents.
A Small Economy With Global Financial Ambitions
Bermuda, home to approximately 73,000 residents, has an economy largely driven by tourism and construction. The country recorded an estimated GDP of $6.8 billion in 2024, placing it among the smaller economies globally. Officials believe blockchain-based infrastructure could help modernize financial services and support long-term economic resilience.
Longstanding Regulatory Foundations in Digital Assets
The initiative builds on Bermuda’s early regulatory engagement with digital assets. The country enacted the Digital Asset Business Act in 2018, making it one of the first jurisdictions to establish a comprehensive framework for cryptocurrency regulation.
Bermuda’s relationship with Coinbase and Circle also predates the latest announcement. Coinbase received a license from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) in 2023 as part of its international expansion, while Circle has worked with the government since 2019, including initiatives allowing tax payments in USDC and testing a local stablecoin in 2020.
A Test Case for National-Level Blockchain Adoption
By moving core economic functions onto blockchain rails, Bermuda is positioning itself as a test case for how regulated digital assets can operate at the national level. While implementation details and timelines remain limited, the initiative reflects growing interest among governments in exploring stablecoins and tokenization as part of modern financial infrastructure.
