# Ethereum for digital public infrastructure

Source: https://publicsector.ethereum.foundation
Kiwi News: https://news.kiwistand.com/stories/Ethereum-for-digital-public-infrastructure?index=0x6ae9b6cf1dde4ba18a9af48cfba9526d4f89a29a9059c6b8885c3ab21002d63cbe3f9ab3
Submitted by misha on 2026-11-03 UTC, 2 upvotes, 0 comments

## Summary

Ethereum is presented as a shared, open infrastructure that institutions can use for digital public services without depending on a central operator. The page argues that centralized systems create operational risks, such as outages and cyberattacks, and structural risks, such as an operator changing rules or removing participants. It cites Bhutan's national digital identity system, with 449k+ users onboarded, UNICEF's CryptoFund, with over $4m invested including 2,602 ETH, and ITCILO's digital credentials, with 208k+ issued.

## Article

Digital public infrastructure Sovereign by design

Explore how institutions can use Ethereum to support their work and the people they serve

Ethereum is an open, global network. It enables shared digital infrastructure, verifiable records, and coordination without relying on a central operator.

With Ethereum, institutions can:

Verify presented documents against their recorded originals

Confirm eligibility for services while minimizing the collection of personal data

Track grant disbursements from funders to recipients

Anyone can build on Ethereum.

Its software is open source, meaning anyone can inspect, use, adapt, and share it. The network is maintained by independent participants around the world, with no single owner.

What is Ethereum?

Neutral infrastructure supports resilience without concentrating control

Centralized, proprietary systems leave institutions dependent on a few providers for essential digital services. This creates two types of exposure.

Operational

A single outage or cyberattack can take the entire system offline, disrupt essential services, or expose citizens' sensitive information

Structural

Access depends on an operator that can change the rules, restrict access, or remove participants

Ethereum offers open, shared infrastructure that reduces dependence on a single provider.

Services built on it can preserve institutional authority while giving people greater control over their assets and information.

Institutional sovereignty

Avoid vendor lock-in

Retain authority over policies, rules, and service delivery

Maintain oversight without relying on a central operator’s records

Individual agency

Retain control over their digital assets and credentials

Choose what information to disclose

Move between compatible services and providers

Why use Ethereum?

Public infrastructure is already taking shape on Ethereum

Governments, UN bodies, nonprofits, and other institutions are using Ethereum to deliver public services, coordinate across borders, and explore new models of funding and governance.

Bhutan National Digital Identity

449k+ users onboarded to Bhutan NDI

Bhutan's national digital identity system uses Ethereum to support the verification of digital credentials across public and private services. Individuals control what information they share, while personal data remains outside the blockchain.

UNICEF CryptoFund

$4m+ invested, including 2,602 ETH

UNICEF’s CryptoFund provides funding in cryptocurrency to startups developing open-source technology in emerging economies. Transfers made in ETH are recorded on Ethereum, where they can be independently verified and traced.

ITCILO digital credentials

208k+ blockchain-secured credentials issued

ITCILO issues digital certificates and badges that can be independently verified using Ethereum. Learners can share their credentials with employers and institutions without needing a cryptocurrency wallet or technical knowledge of Ethereum.

View all case studies

Can Ethereum support your institution’s work?

Every public-interest challenge has its own context. If you’re exploring whether Ethereum can support your work, start a conversation with Ethereum for Public Infrastructure and Commons (EPIC), a team at the Ethereum Foundation.

Learn more about EPIC