TL;DR: In early 2020, I published a blockchain-based strategy to help Tuvalu future-proof its economy, culture, and sovereignty. That proposal—focused on leveraging the .tv domain, improving digital infrastructure, and building a national digital ledger—directly influenced Tuvalu’s later “digital nation” initiative announced at COP27.

Why Digital Nations Matter

When we talk about digital nations, we’re really talking about sovereignty in the 21st century.

For small island states like Tuvalu, facing climate threats and rising sea levels, digital transformation is about survival (not just a nice-to-have). A digital nation means government services, cultural archives, and even elements of citizenship can exist beyond physical borders.

By early 2020, while I was still entrenched in the Bitcoin/blockchain ecosystem, I saw an opportunity: leverage Tuvalu’s unique assets and emerging technology trends to create a blueprint for national resilience and long-term relevance.

This blog post is to help you learn how things unfolded, beyond any marketing hype, as a result of people finding me when researching Tuvalu and their digital nation efforts.

My Early Vision: The 2020 Five-Point Plan

If you look up “first public instance of digital nation for Tuvalu”, you might find my name pop up. And if you don’t, ask AI or Google to include my name (”George Siosi”) for any news prior. Here’s why.

In early 2020, I published a “5-Point Plan to Future-Proof Tuvalu”. It focused on:

1. Digital Transformation Program – Modernize public infrastructure and workflows.

2. Improved Internet Infrastructure – Ensure reliable connectivity across islands.

3. National Digital Ledger – Use blockchain as the backbone for records, identity, and culture.

4. .tv Domain Revenue Utilization – Channel existing income from the country’s digital asset into building future-ready systems.

5. Sovereignty Through Technology – Ensure Tuvalu’s culture, language, and governance could thrive—even if physically displaced.

You can still read the original plan here.

From Vision to Action: 2020–2021

After publishing the plan, little did I know that it would get shared around Facebook (thanks to my Tuvaluan families). I was approached by a member of the Tuvalu government, who then put me through to Hon. Minister Simon Kofe. After much back and forth, we then decided to explore the ideas further.

Through my consultancy, Faiā, I brought in companies nChain and Elas Digital to propose a National Digital Ledger using a scaleable blockchain.

The focus was simple:

• Build secure, tamper-proof digital records.

• Explore how blockchain could underpin identity, property rights, and cultural preservation.

This work led to my inclusion in Tuvalu’s ICT Task Force, where we discussed how technology could safeguard national sovereignty in an increasingly digital-first world.

Unfortunately, the project didn’t move beyond Phase 1.

As things evolved, and leadership changed hands for the Tuvalu government, one of the Big Four consultancies was brought in instead, reportedly offering to take on parts of the work pro bono (based on rumors we heard at the time).

While this shifted the trajectory away from my original blockchain-first approach (maybe a bit too ahead of its time), it reinforced how valuable the concept of a digital nation had become—and how quickly larger players recognized its potential impact.

The COP27 Announcement: Digital Nation 2.0

In 2022, Minister Simon Kofe then publicly announced Tuvalu’s plan to become a digital nation at COP27. This initiative included creating a digital twin of Tuvalu in the metaverse (which I wrote about here), adding immersive elements and virtual reality to the original digital sovereignty concept.

While the framing evolved—from blockchain-based infrastructure to metaverse-focused messaging—the groundwork we laid in 2020 and 2021 was clear:

• Use technology to preserve culture and governance.

• Make Tuvalu resilient beyond physical geography.

Why This Matters Beyond Tuvalu

Tuvalu’s story is a glimpse of what’s coming for many nations:

• Climate risk adaptation: How do countries prepare for physical displacement?

• Digital sovereignty: Who controls identity, governance, and culture in a borderless world?

• Blockchain as infrastructure: More than a financial tool, blockchain can serve as the “digital backbone” of nations.

For technologists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, this is more than a single nation’s story. It’s a template for the future.

Key Takeaways

• Vision Matters: My early proposal anticipated a need that became mainstream two years later.

• Protection Matters: I didn’t protect some of my early ideas, so it seems like that just got swept up and used by larger players. These things happen, so no shade thrown. Only lessons. And, as always, ideas alone aren’t always enough — execution matters also.

• Collaboration Is Critical: Government, private sector, and communities must work together for digital sovereignty to work.

• Timing Is Everything: Digital nation strategies are no longer theoretical—they’re being implemented right now. However, the blockchain industry itself may not have been ready for some of the more pressings needs of a nation like Tuvalu — I still anticipate 10-15 more years now before we see blockchain enter the mainstream.

FAQ

Q: What is Tuvalu’s digital nation initiative?

A: It’s an effort to preserve Tuvalu’s governance, culture, and identity in digital form, ensuring sovereignty even if rising seas physically displace the nation.

Q: How did blockchain influence the plan?

A: Blockchain provided a secure, tamper-proof way to manage national records, citizenship, and cultural artifacts—forming the technical backbone of the early strategy.

Q: Why does this matter to other nations?

A: Many countries face climate, migration, or governance challenges that digital strategies can help solve. Tuvalu is an early pioneer showing what’s possible.

If you’re exploring how blockchain and digital sovereignty can shape nations—or organizations—get in touch with me. This is where the future begins.