PETALING JAYA: Malaysia-based Zetrix AI Bhd said its Layer-1 public blockchain platform has been selected as the underlying protocol for the Philippines' planned public blockchain infrastructure, under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the Philippine government.
The agreement was signed by Zetrix Philippines Inc., My Blockchain Infrastructure Sdn Bhd (MBI) — a joint venture between Zetrix AI and Malaysia's MIMOS Bhd — and the Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The collaboration aims to develop and operationalise the Philippines' public blockchain infrastructure using the Zetrix protocol.
If implemented, the project would make the Philippines the second country to deploy a sovereign-grade blockchain infrastructure based on the Zetrix platform. Zetrix currently serves as the foundational blockchain for Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure, which was launched in April 2025.
The collaboration is intended to support the digital issuance, verification and authentication of government-issued credentials, while also providing blockchain infrastructure for applications regarded as being of national importance.
The parties also plan to explore cross-border interoperability between the national digital identity systems of Malaysia and the Philippines, alongside applications related to trade facilitation.
In a statement, DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda said the initiative is aimed at improving the portability and verification of trusted digital credentials across jurisdictions.
"The initiative is about making trust portable across systems and borders. Through this collaboration, we can make the verification of government-issued credentials more secure and efficient across systems.
“More importantly, it helps remove unnecessary friction so citizens can access services faster and with greater confidence wherever they are," he said.
According to Zetrix AI, its blockchain platform also serves as the international supernode to China's Xinghuo Blockchain Infrastructure and Facility, supporting cross-border verification of digital credentials. The company said this positions the platform to facilitate verification services across multiple jurisdictions.
Zetrix AI group managing director Wong Thean Soon said the agreement represents another milestone in the company's regional expansion strategy,
adding that the collaboration aligns with the company's broader vision of strengthening regional digital connectivity.
"This milestone marks another important step forward in the realisation of our vision of bringing countries in the region onto a common integrated ecosystem, thus playing our part in helping advance economic growth through stronger regional cooperation," said Wong.
Launched in April 2022, the Zetrix blockchain has been deployed across a range of blockchain-based applications, including digital identity verification, customs clearance processing, digital voting and stablecoin initiatives, according to the company.
The Philippines collaboration is expected to initially focus on applications similar to those already deployed on the platform. These include digital government credentials, identity verification and authentication services, as well as systems supporting cross-border digital identity interoperability between Malaysia and the Philippines.
The latest development also expands Zetrix AI's presence in the Philippines, where the group said it has been operating for nearly a decade as a provider of digital government services.
The company counts several Philippine government agencies among its existing partners, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Bureau of Investigation, Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Ports Authority and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The MoU outlines a framework for cooperation between the parties, with further implementation expected to be subject to subsequent agreements and project development. Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
The initiative reflects a broader trend among governments in the region to evaluate blockchain infrastructure as part of digital transformation programmes, particularly for applications involving secure digital identities, trusted credentials and cross-border digital services.
