Bermuda partners with Circle and Coinbase to become world’s first fully onchain economy

Key Takeaways

• Bermuda will integrate stablecoin payments, tokenization tools, and onchain finance infrastructure with help from Circle and Coinbase.
• The initiative includes merchant adoption, government pilots, and a broader consumer USDC rollout at the 2026 Digital Finance Forum.

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The Government of Bermuda has announced plans to become the world’s first fully onchain national economy, partnering with Circle and Coinbase to roll out digital asset infrastructure nationwide.

Under the initiative, Circle and Coinbase will equip Bermuda’s government, banks, merchants, and consumers with stablecoin payment tools and enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure. The plan also includes nationwide digital finance education and onboarding programs.

Premier David Burt framed the move as a natural extension of Bermuda’s leadership in digital asset regulation. The country launched its regulatory framework in 2018 and was one of the first to license both Circle and Coinbase.

Bermudian merchants have already begun accepting USDC for low-cost, fast, dollar-denominated payments, with early pilots reducing transaction fees and supporting local commerce.

The partnership builds on a 2025 airdrop at the Bermuda Digital Finance Forum, where 100 USDC was distributed to each attendee. The 2026 Forum, set for May 11–14, will expand these efforts with broader adoption and a larger stimulus.

Government agencies will pilot stablecoin-based payments, financial institutions will integrate tokenization tools, and residents will participate in digital literacy programs.

“Bermuda has always believed that responsible innovation is best achieved through partnership,” said Premier Burt. “This is about creating opportunity, lowering costs, and ensuring Bermudians benefit from the future of finance.”

Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire called Bermuda a pioneer in blockchain regulation, while Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong highlighted the country’s clear rules and public-private collaboration as a model for other nations