Bermuda Could Launch a Blockchain Land Registry

Bermuda is moving toward setting up a blockchain-based system for recording property deeds, its premier said at Davos this week.

By Annaliese Milano

Jan 24, 2018 at 9:00 p.m. UTC

Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 7:28 a.m. UTC

Flag of Bermuda (Creative Photo Corner/Shutterstock)

Annaliese Milano

Bermuda plans to migrate its property deeds system to the blockchain, its premier said today.

As quoted by The Royal Gazette, premier David Burt remarked during an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the country was aiming to shift away from its "old school" system of recording deed information.

The Royal Gazette

quoted Burt as saying:

"Bermuda has an old school deeds-based property system. What we are going to do is transfer our registry to the blockchain. Clearly it needs to be transparent so people know what’s there and be secure, and that way we know who owns what at any point in time"

Burt reportedly remarked that some segments of Bermuda’s business ecosystem – namely the legal profession – may not be fully supportive of the move. That said, according to the premier, "the thing is to make more efficiencies inside of our economy."

The development reflects Bermuda’s continued engagement with the blockchain and cryptocurrencies.

In November, the British overseas territory set up a task force seeking to both create an appropriate regulatory environment and to support commerce utilizing these technologies in the hopes of attracting new industry and jobs. The government is also working with organizations such as Ambika Group and the Bermuda Business Development Agency on possible uses of the tech.

Bermuda flag image via Shutterstock

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