Do Nations Need a National Blockchain Infrastructure?
Do Nations Need a National Blockchain Infrastructure?
Do Nations Need a National Blockchain Infrastructure?
In today’s digital economy, blockchain technology has evolved beyond cryptocurrencies into a foundational infrastructure. Countries leading in blockchain adoption are setting the stage for faster, safer, and more transparent digital ecosystems. Malaysia, through Zetrix, is now taking a bold step by powering the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI), following the example of early movers like China. This move is a natural progression, given that Zetrix is already interconnected with China’s Xinghuo-Astron Blockchain Infrastructure.
What is a National Blockchain Infrastructure (NBI)?
A National Blockchain Infrastructure is a government or state-supported network that provides blockchain services to businesses, citizens, and government agencies. Instead of siloed, fragmented blockchains, theNBI provides a standardised, scalable, and interoperable backbone to support applications across industries; increasing interoperability.
You might wonder:
“Isn’t this just like having a super app that hosts lots of services?”
The key difference lies in the technology behind it.
A superapp is like a shopping mall — many services are gathered in one place, but each shop (or service) often uses its own system behind the scenes. They may not share data efficiently, and there’s usually a central operator controlling everything.
In contrast, a NBI is like building smart roads with embedded rules that any shop, delivery service, or vehicle can use — safely, transparently, and without needing a central authority to manage every step. Think of it as a digital road network for the country.
Services can connect, share verified data and run automatically via Smart Contracts, reducing fraud, delays and manual work- something super apps alone can’t do.
China: A Pioneer with the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN)
China is recognised as one of the first countries to build a nationwide blockchain infrastructure through its Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), launched in 2020. BSN was designed to:
- Lower barriers to blockchain adoption by offering a low-cost, unified platform.
- Promote interoperability between public and private blockchains.
- Enable digitalisation of industries at scale, aligned with China’s Digital Silk Road ambitions.
Through BSN, China created an environment where companies could rapidly build and deploy blockchain applications without needing to invest heavily in proprietary infrastructure. This fostered massive innovation and attracted international collaborations.
The Economic and National Benefits of a National Blockchain Infrastructure
1. Digital Sovereignty and Security
Owning and managing a national blockchain ensures that sensitive data and transactions remain within sovereign control, protecting national interests.
2. Accelerated Digital Transformation
An NBI removes fragmentation and provides an easier on-ramp for businesses, enabling faster digitalisation across key sectors such as government services, healthcare, logistics, and finance.
3. Efficiency and Cost Savings
Shared blockchain infrastructure dramatically reduces costs for enterprises and government agencies by providing ready-to-use services, avoiding duplication of effort.
4. Global Trade and Cross-border Innovation
Having a national blockchain can open up new avenues for international partnerships, trusted cross-border transactions, and compliance with emerging global standards.
5. Boosting National Competitiveness
As industries adopt blockchain for supply chain tracking, smart contracts, digital identity, and finance, a national blockchain gives the country an edge in global competitiveness.
Malaysia’s Vision: Powered by Zetrix
Malaysia, through Zetrix and MIMOS is realising this vision by launching the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI). MBI is designed to:
- Empower governments and businesses with secure, efficient digital tools.
- Facilitate cross-border trade, especially within the ASEAN and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) ecosystems.
- Build future-ready applications in areas like digital identity, supply chain management, smart manufacturing, and financial services.
Just as China’s BSN helped accelerate digitalisation, Malaysia’s MBI is poised to strengthen its digital economy, attract innovation, and enhance regional influence.
Key Takeaways
Blockchain is not just a technology; it is a new layer of national infrastructure. Early movers like China have demonstrated how a national blockchain strategy can yield immense economic and societal benefits. Through Zetrix’s initiative, Malaysia is stepping into this new frontier, ensuring it is not just a participant but a leader in the future global digital economy.
