What’s happening with crypto at the World Economic Forum this week?
Davos 2026 just delivered a massive glimpse into the future of money. Bermuda’s Premier, David Burt, stood with the CEOs of Coinbase and Circle to announce something historic: the island is moving its entire economy “on-chain.” By using Coinbase’s Base network and USDC, they aren’t just experimenting — they’re rebuilding their financial system. The idea is to make payments instant and cheap for everyone. Imagine a Bermuda where digital assets handle everything from your morning coffee to your yearly taxes, effectively cutting out the middleman and opening up new doors for local businesses.
The collaboration works so well because Bermuda has been “crypto-ready” for years. While other countries were still debating how to define a token, Bermuda was passing the Digital Asset Business Act of 2018, effectively creating a “regulated playground” for the industry. It’s more than just being friendly; the island offers a rare sense of certainty. For any firm tired of guessing what regulators might do next, Bermuda’s clear, established rules make it the perfect place to build for the long term.
This new pilot is the logical next step, moving beyond simple regulation into live, national-scale implementation. Residents will participate in digital literacy programs, while government agencies will begin accepting USDC for various public services. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong noted at Davos that this collaboration shows “what’s possible when clear rules are paired with strong public-private collaboration,” offering a blueprint for other nations to update their legacy financial systems.
The Davos meetings also served as a backdrop for critical discussions regarding the US CLARITY Act. It’s one thing to talk about the “future of finance” in a boardroom, but it’s another to see it actually working on the street. Brian Armstrong recently met with top bankers to debate things like stablecoin yields, but while they were talking, Bermuda was doing.
Following a successful 100 USDC airdrop to residents in 2025, the island has transformed. You can now walk into local businesses and pay digitally without a second thought. Bermuda isn’t just trying to be “first” to regulate crypto anymore — they’re proving that a nation run on blockchain can actually hold its own when the global economy gets shaky.
Bermuda is basically playing the long game here. By going all-in on USDC and Coinbase’s Base network, they’re moving faster than the big players ever could. This kind of national-scale adoption is a massive wake-up call that could force the world’s major economies to finally get their digital currency acts together.
What is an “on-chain economy”?
It is a financial system where everyday transactions, payments, and asset ownership are handled via blockchain ledgers.
Why is Bermuda using USDC?
USDC provides a stable, dollar-backed digital currency that reduces the volatility and costs of traditional cross-border payments.
What role does Coinbase play?
Coinbase provides the Base layer-2 infrastructure and technical onboarding for Bermuda’s businesses and government.
