Only a Few Achieve True PMF While Others Buzz. Mandala Leads Asia's Adoption
Success Stories
8 Min Read
Mandala Chain is spearheading Web3 adoption in Asia, focusing on Indonesia with government-backed initiatives in digital identity, banking, IP protection, and governance. Supported by Polkadot funding, Mandala Chain’s partnerships and real-world applications aim to accelerate Asia’s digital transformation.
As October 2024 wrapped up, Mandala Chain announced an ambitious plan to onboard 100 million Asian users to Polkadot through strategic blockchain initiatives.
They launched a proposal, requesting 763,000 USDT in funding from Polkadot’s Treasury via Referendum #1210, which got approved.

This funding aims to support Mandala Chain’s initiatives to develop digital identity, cooperative banking, intellectual property protection, and smart governance solutions, leveraging Polkadot’s infrastructure. Positioned as a key player in advancing blockchain technology, Mandala Chain collaborates with specific ministries in Indonesia rather than having government backing. Mandala Chain has made notable strides in promoting Web3 adoption by forming these strategic partnerships. The goal is to accelerate real-world applications, enhancing the Polkadot ecosystem's growth and impact, especially in emerging markets.
Unlike being government-backed, Mandala Chain is collaborating with specific ministries in Indonesia, such as healthcare, tourism, and information technology, to implement these initiatives, reflecting a focused yet impactful approach to advancing digital transformation in the region.
Mandala Chain has positioned itself as a critical player in the Indonesian blockchain landscape with a year of successful pilot programs and strategic events, such as the Bali Blockchain Summit and Coinfest Asia 2024. This proposal to the Polkadot Treasury builds on that momentum, seeking resources to expand its development team and strengthen its infrastructure. By fast-tracking these essential use cases, Mandala Chain aims to capitalize on its current traction, addressing the increasing demand for its blockchain solutions among both public and private sectors in Indonesia, and setting the stage for Polkadot’s deeper integration into the country's digital future.
Let’s start by exploring what MandalaChain is and how it leverages its strong local relationships and expertise to drive adoption:
Mandala Chain: A New Gateway to Web3 Adoption in Southeast Asia
Mandala Chain stands out as a promising blockchain network, leveraging Polkadot's Substrate framework to meet Southeast Asia’s specific needs. Originating in Indonesia, Mandala Chain aims to empower regional enterprises, governments, and public services by facilitating seamless connections to decentralized applications. Built as a hybrid Layer 1 blockchain, Mandala Chain integrates secure, decentralized infrastructure, ideally suited to address the data privacy and security requirements of emerging markets.

Mandala Chain’s strategy aligns with Indonesia’s digital transformation goals by collaborating with key ministries and industry stakeholders. By working with departments like healthcare, tourism, and information technology, Mandala Chain has developed an ecosystem geared toward adoption. Its flagship applications, like the IDCHAIN decentralized identity system, provide real-world benefits, emphasizing privacy-centric identity management for government and business services. With its modular design, Mandala Chain is set to drive Web3 adoption in finance, healthcare, intellectual property, and resource tokenization, contributing to Indonesia’s "Digital Indonesia 2045" vision.
Key Components of Mandala Chain
Hybrid Layer 1 Blockchain: Using Polkadot's Substrate framework, Mandala Chain’s architecture offers secure, modular solutions for sensitive data management, crucial for ministry and enterprise applications.
Web2 and Web3 Integration Layer: Bridging traditional Web2 applications with decentralized Web3 features, Mandala Chain enables users and institutions to experience blockchain benefits while maintaining the familiarity of existing web interfaces. This integration layer simplifies user onboarding, encouraging adoption.
Decentralized Identity Verification, IDCHAIN: IDCHAIN, a key application on Mandala Chain, provides secure identity management for essential data, such as passports and driver’s licenses. Partnering with Indonesia’s .ID domain, IDCHAIN enables safe, private identity verification for users across various government and enterprise services.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) for Privacy and Security: Mandala Chain’s integration of ZKP technology allows private, verifiable transactions that protect user data. This privacy feature meets the demand for secure data handling, especially as Indonesia scales its blockchain infrastructure.
KEPENG Coin (KPG): Inspired by the traditional Balinese coin, KEPENG, KPG serves as Mandala Chain’s native token, supporting governance, transaction fees, and network participation incentives. Its cultural significance also adds a unique dimension within Indonesia’s digital economy.
Mandala Chain Use Cases and Partnerships
Finance: Collaborating with select Indonesian banks to improve financial transparency and security, aiming to bring thousands of new users into blockchain-based financial systems.
Healthcare: Working with hospitals and clinics to securely store medical records on-chain, benefiting millions by making healthcare data more accessible and secure in underserved areas.
Intellectual Property Protection: Partnering with arts and SME organizations to certify and protect intellectual property, ensuring traceability and enhancing global credibility for Indonesian products.
RWA Tokenization: Tokenizing resources like gold and nickel to support global blockchain transactions, integrating Indonesia’s natural assets into the digital economy.
DeFi Expansion: Mandala Chain has recently partnered with @KylixFinance to pioneer decentralized financial solutions in Indonesia. This collaboration marks one of the first DeFi initiatives in the nation, providing blockchain-based financial services to the Indonesian community.
This addition highlights Mandala Chain’s ongoing efforts to expand its ecosystem and further drive blockchain adoption in key sectors across Indonesia.
Mandala Chain’s Achievements: A Catalyst for Blockchain Adoption in Indonesia
Mandala Chain has carved a notable path in Indonesia’s blockchain landscape by forging influential partnerships, launching impactful projects, and securing government support. Over the past year, Mandala Chain has established its position by advancing real-world applications across digital identity, finance, healthcare, intellectual property protection, and resource tokenization. Below is a snapshot of Mandala Chain’s accomplishments and network of strategic partnerships, underscoring its role in promoting Web3 adoption in Indonesia.
Strategic Collaborations and Key Milestones
Government and Enterprise Partnerships: Mandala Chain has built alliances with over 20 government bodies and enterprises, creating a blockchain framework tailored to Indonesia’s specific needs.
Partners Include: Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Indonesia Domain Internet Name Manager, Telkomsel, and the Cooperative and SME Office of Bali Province.IDCHAIN: Pioneering Digital Identity: In collaboration with Indonesia’s ID domain, IDCHAIN offers a secure digital identity system for user verification across government and business services. Potential to onboard 10 million new wallets, revolutionizing digital identity for over 100 million users in Indonesia.
Educational Outreach and Blockchain Academy:
Mandala Blockchain Academy (MBA), Launched to educate future blockchain developers, MBA collaborates with over 20 universities, government agencies, and private sector organizations to promote blockchain education.
Hackathons: The Polkadot Championship Hackathon introduced dozens of Indonesian developers to the Polkadot ecosystem, furthering Mandala Chain’s mission to develop local blockchain talent.High-Profile Events and Industry Recognition:
Bali Blockchain Summit 2024: Mandala Chain played a central role in this summit, attended by 500+ participants, including government officials and industry leaders, highlighting blockchain’s role in Indonesia’s “Digital Indonesia 2045” vision.Coinfest Asia 2024: As title sponsor, Mandala Chain promoted blockchain’s potential, attracting 6000+ attendees and showcasing Polkadot technology to a global audience.
Pilot Projects and Tokenization Initiatives:
Healthcare Collaboration: Partnered with 20+ hospitals to securely store medical data on-chain, projected to add nearly 900,000 new wallets.
RWA Tokenization with Gold Reserves: Collaborating with a major Indonesian gold corporation, Mandala Chain aims to tokenize $500M in gold, integrating Indonesian resources into the global blockchain economy.
These achievements illustrate Mandala Chain’s growing influence and active role in shaping Indonesia’s blockchain landscape. Mandala Chain has established itself as a leader in blockchain adoption across Southeast Asia by combining strategic partnerships, educational initiatives, and groundbreaking projects.

The Rise of Blockchain Adoption in Asia: Key Drivers
Asia’s rapid ascent in the blockchain space is no coincidence. The region’s unique combination of technological advancement, regulatory proactiveness, and entrepreneurial spirit has fostered a vibrant ecosystem for blockchain adoption. Sees Asia’s blockchain journey as powered by several key factors. First, young, tech-savvy populations across countries like Indonesia, India, and Vietnam bring a high level of digital literacy. Millennials and Gen Z, who have grown up with technology, are naturally receptive to blockchain innovations.
Moreover, governments in Asia have played an essential role in fostering a favorable environment for blockchain. Proactive measures by bodies such as Indonesia’s Financial Supervisory Authority, which introduced a sandbox framework for blockchain innovation in 2024, are empowering companies to explore tokenized assets and decentralized financial services within a structured regulatory landscape. Similarly, India’s National Blockchain Framework (NBF) and various blockchain initiatives in Vietnam show a strong commitment to harnessing blockchain for public services and economic growth, positioning these countries as leaders in the Web3 space.
Tiger Research Inc. digged into these sandbox framework, and other Wbe3 Asia Reports
Regulatory sandboxes and frameworks, notably in Thailand and South Korea, have further spurred blockchain adoption by providing spaces where blockchain projects can test new solutions while adhering to regulatory guidelines. This approach effectively balances security with creativity, making Asia an attractive market for Web3 ventures. In addition to government support, major corporations in Asia, particularly in finance and gaming, are embracing blockchain solutions. For instance, Sony’s launch of the Layer 2 solution “Soneium” signals the entry of large players into the space, which amplifies blockchain’s reach and influence across Asia.
Asia’s adoption landscape is also uniquely diverse, with each country applying blockchain to address distinct economic needs. The Philippines, for example, has focused on Play-to-Earn (P2E) gaming and remittances, while Singapore has taken strides in integrating stablecoins for retail transactions. This diversity in use cases reflects a broad adoption strategy tailored to regional market demands, solidifying blockchain’s role across multiple industries in Asia.
Major Events Shaping Blockchain Adoption in Asia
Blockchain and crypto-focused events across Asia have been pivotal in promoting adoption by facilitating knowledge-sharing, networking, and industry collaboration. One such event is Token2049 in Singapore, one of the largest crypto gatherings in Asia. Attracting over 20,000 attendees in 2024, Token2049 underscored Asia’s role in the global crypto space. The event fostered dialogues that reflected cautious optimism about the crypto industry’s future, indicating a growing maturity and recognition of blockchain’s potential among industry players.
Another significant event is the Bali Blockchain Summit 2024, where Mandala Chain played a key role in advocating for blockchain integration within Indonesia. The summit, attended by government officials, corporate leaders, and international investors, showcased Web3's transformative potential for Indonesia’s digital landscape. The event aligned with Indonesia's "Digital Indonesia 2045" initiative, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to integrating blockchain into its long-term digital vision.
Finally, Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai underscored Asia’s expanding influence on blockchain technology, showcasing the region’s talent and innovative projects. Although held outside Southeast Asia, the event highlighted the collaborations that continue to position Asia as a critical hub for Web3 development.

These gatherings emphasize the importance of in-person interactions for building partnerships and sharing regulatory and technical insights, helping to synchronize the efforts of governments, private companies, and individuals. They create a collaborative environment that supports a more structured and accelerated path for blockchain adoption across Asia.
Expert Insights on Asia’s Blockchain Ecosystem
To better understand Asia's position in the blockchain landscape, insights from key figures and research reports provide depth:
Maria Shen Crypto Developer Report: Electric Capital highlighted Asia’s rise as the leading region for crypto developers, with Asia now holding a 32% share of global crypto talent, surpassing North America. This shift underscores the talent influx toward Asia and reflects the region's role in driving innovation and creating job opportunities in Web3.

Ignas | DeFi Analysis on South Asia’s Crypto Market: Ignas from Pink Brains noted the growing enthusiasm in markets like Vietnam and Indonesia, where younger investors are drawn to DeFi and P2E applications. Ignas highlighted Vietnam's high rate of crypto ownership, with 21.2% of the population engaging in crypto, reflecting grassroots adoption despite regulatory uncertainty.

Presto Research on Token2049 Insights: Presto Labs observed a balanced outlook at Token2049, with industry participants showing "cautious optimism" about crypto’s future. This sentiment reflects a maturing market, increasingly focused on practical use cases over speculative hype, a necessary step for sustainable growth.

Binance’s Expansion in Southeast Asia: Binance has capitalized on Asia’s receptive crypto audience, particularly in Indonesia, where users are increasingly turning to decentralized options. This growth aligns with observations from Chainalysis’ Crypto Adoption Index, where Indonesia rose from 7th to 3rd globally due to increased activity on decentralized exchanges.
Asia’s crypto landscape is marked by both unique opportunities and challenges, with its tech-savvy population, supportive policies, and diverse use cases setting a global benchmark. As blockchain adoption continues to flourish, platforms like Mandala Chain stand to play a pivotal role in guiding Asia’s digital transformation. With strategic partnerships and a user-centric approach, Mandala Chain aims to empower Southeast Asia's growing Web3 ecosystem by connecting real-world applications with blockchain technology, addressing the region’s needs for security, scalability, and innovation.
Why Indonesia Was Chosen as the Launch Platform for Mandala Chain
Indonesia presents a unique opportunity for Mandala Chain’s launch due to its vast, young population and a rapidly growing digital infrastructure. With over 275 million people and an internet penetration rate of 78%, Indonesia provides a fertile ground for blockchain projects that target daily applications such as digital identity, banking, and healthcare. This substantial user base makes it possible for Mandala Chain to achieve large-scale adoption and introduce Web3 services to a significant portion of the population.
Additionally, Indonesia’s forward-thinking government has laid the groundwork for digital transformation through the "Golden Indonesia Vision 2045," an initiative launched in 2019 aimed at advancing the nation into a sovereign and tech-savvy country. The framework emphasizes digital innovation and prioritizes data security and privacy—key pillars of blockchain technology. However, issues like data leakage, risks tied to centralized storage, and inefficient government services continue to pose challenges, making blockchain an ideal solution to support Indonesia’s goals.
As reported by Benzinga News, Indonesia’s young, tech-savvy demographic—with an average age under 30—is particularly inclined toward blockchain adoption. This young workforce is receptive to innovative technologies and new economic models, positioning Mandala Chain as a frontrunner in realizing the Digital Indonesia 2045 vision. The Indonesian government’s inclusion of blockchain in its digital roadmap underscores a commitment to the technology as a core infrastructure, aiming to drive the country's digital and economic future.
How Mandala Chain Influences Asia and Indonesia with Its Future Vision
Mandala Chain’s vision extends beyond a simple entry into the market. It aims to drive Web3 adoption at scale by integrating blockchain solutions with real-world applications through strategic partnerships with government and enterprises. This approach ensures that large populations in Indonesia and potentially across Asia are introduced to blockchain's potential in a manner that addresses everyday needs. The initiative will significantly boost blockchain adoption in the region, particularly within the Polkadot ecosystem, as Mandala Chain onboards users who may not have previous experience with crypto or blockchain.
Mandala Chain’s strategy comprises four stages—Curate, Educate, Incubate, and Propagate—to foster sustainable adoption:
Curate: By carefully selecting projects that address established industry challenges and have conducive regulations, Mandala Chain targets use cases that resonate with large user bases. Each selected project, such as digital identity solutions or cooperative banking services, is vetted to ensure broad applicability and impact, helping to establish blockchain's utility across different sectors.
Educate: Through its Mandala Blockchain Academy, Mandala Chain provides public and government education on the tangible benefits of blockchain. This educational effort extends to training developers, aligning the academy’s curriculum with real-world blockchain projects to build a local talent pool and foster understanding.
Incubate: Mandala Chain’s pilot projects, including IDCHAIN, DJOIN, West Java SmartGov, and UnBALIvable, are at the forefront of the incubate phase. These initiatives are developed to showcase blockchain's feasibility, optimize user experiences, and confirm product-market fit. Each pilot serves as a model to demonstrate the technology’s practical applications and reliability in delivering essential services.
Propagate: Once projects reach maturity, Mandala Chain aims to scale up by expanding its user base and deploying market strategies that facilitate mass onboarding. The upcoming phases of user acquisition for IDCHAIN, for instance, target over 10 million users, with planned integration into government and enterprise systems to provide seamless access.
Milestones and Deliverables
Mandala Chain has a detailed roadmap for the upcoming phases to ensure the success of these projects. In Q4 2024, the focus is on initial development and proof of concept for IDCHAIN, DJOIN, UnBALIvable, and the West Java SmartGov pilot. By Q1 2025, the team will deploy testnets, initiate compliance testing, and refine the UX of each project. By Q2 2025, Mandala Chain will prepare for full MVP launches and mass user onboarding, positioning these projects for public release.
Check out their Google doc on this:
Through this structured approach, Mandala Chain is shaping blockchain adoption in Indonesia, establishing a foundation that can be replicated across Asia. Each milestone contributes to a robust framework that will support the region's broader transition to a decentralized, secure, and efficient digital economy.
Final Thoughts
Mandala Chain is poised to play a transformative role in Southeast Asia’s digital landscape, beginning with its strategic launch in Indonesia. By integrating blockchain technology into essential services like digital identity, finance, healthcare, and intellectual property protection, Mandala Chain exemplifies how blockchain can go beyond theoretical applications to solve real-world challenges. Through its partnerships with government entities and enterprises, the platform has created a roadmap for sustained growth and user onboarding, a process strengthened by its four-stage framework: Curate, Educate, Incubate, and Propagate.
As Southeast Asia continues its rapid digital transformation, Mandala Chain’s model offers a blueprint for blockchain’s integration into emerging economies, where demand for secure, efficient, and decentralized systems is rising. Events like the Bali Blockchain Summit and Token2049 are evidence of the region’s commitment to Web3, with Mandala Chain at the forefront of this movement. The platform’s alignment with Polkadot’s infrastructure further supports scalability and reliability, ensuring that Mandala Chain can meet the needs of millions of users.
In the coming years, Mandala Chain’s efforts to onboard millions of users will not only strengthen the Polkadot ecosystem but also establish Southeast Asia as a global leader in blockchain adoption. Through continued innovation and collaboration, Mandala Chain is bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3, transforming the region’s digital landscape and setting a precedent for future blockchain ventures across Asia and beyond.
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