Key Takeaways
- •Sign is leveraging its TokenTable expertise in large-scale distribution and identity verification to enter government business through the S.I.G.N. framework.
- •Strong backing from partners, including CZ, has facilitated Sign's acquisition of contracts in Kyrgyzstan and Sierra Leone.
- •The company aims to solidify its government business expansion and maintain community alignment through token buybacks.
From "Sing Sign" to Government Services
While many associate Sign with its vibrant community, known as the Orange Dynasty, the project's foundation is deeply rooted in its asset distribution platform, TokenTable. Through TokenTable, Sign has successfully distributed over $3 billion in tokens to more than 55 million users, addressing critical challenges in large-scale asset distribution and identity verification.
TokenTable's operational capacity rivals national-level infrastructure, managing millions of concurrent distributions while ensuring accurate identity verification for each transaction. This extensive experience directly aligns with the needs of governments.
Governments face similar challenges, such as preventing duplicate claims for welfare benefits, ensuring clear identity records for Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) issuance, and distributing emergency aid efficiently and at scale. Sign's experience in Web3 has equipped it to solve these very problems.
- •Large-scale Distribution (TokenTable): Web3 token distribution is analogous to welfare payments and CBDC operations.
- •Identity Verification (Sign Protocol): On-chain attestations are equivalent to eligibility checks for public benefits.
The S.I.G.N. Framework
Sign is now extending its verified Web3 capabilities to government use cases with its whitepaper, S.I.G.N. (Sovereign Infrastructure for Global Nations). This document outlines a comprehensive technical framework designed for governmental applications.
Governments require a delicate balance of privacy and transparency. Sign's sovereign blockchain infrastructure addresses this by employing a BNB Chain-based Layer 2 for public services demanding transparency, and Hyperledger Fabric for financial systems where privacy is paramount.
This sovereign blockchain infrastructure is supported by three key layers designed to facilitate government operations:
- •ID & Attestations: The Sign Protocol offers an on-chain identity proof system. Sensitive personal data remains off-chain, while eligibility criteria are cryptographically verified on-chain.
- •Stablecoin & CBDC: Governments can issue CBDCs on Hyperledger Fabric and stablecoins on Layer 2, catering to distinct needs for privacy and transparency, respectively.
- •Digital Asset Engine: TokenTable functions as the distribution engine, capable of delivering CBDCs and stablecoins to millions simultaneously. It automates the distribution of welfare payments, emergency aid, and pensions based on predefined eligibility criteria and conditional logic.
Sign has already demonstrated its capabilities by signing a CBDC development agreement with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic and is actively developing a blockchain-based digital ID system for the government of Sierra Leone.
The Value of "Unsexy" Government Business
The strategic shift into government business stems from a need for more stable and scalable revenue streams. While TokenTable has been crucial for Sign's survival, its revenue model is susceptible to market cycles that affect new project launches. Government business, conversely, offers consistent growth potential.
Working with governments is often characterized by slow processes, strict regulations, and lengthy decision-making cycles, making it seem "unsexy." However, these sectors can become highly valuable once a foothold is established, offering substantial market access and predictable revenue.
- •Scale: Global software spending is projected to reach $675 billion in 2024. If blockchain technology captures even a small fraction of this market, it represents a significant opportunity. Sign's potential to capture a portion of this market could lead to substantial annual revenue, far exceeding its current figures.
- •Stable Revenue: Government budgets are insulated from crypto market volatility, ensuring continuous spending. Once a system is adopted, high switching costs often lead to long-term contracts.
- •Low Competition: The Web3 space has limited experience in building government systems. Sign's existing track record in Kyrgyzstan and Sierra Leone provides a distinct competitive advantage.
Governments are increasingly exploring blockchain technology. Several nations are actively preparing for on-chain systems:
- •Dubai: Plans to transition all government transactions onto the blockchain by 2030, anticipating significant annual savings.
- •Singapore: Operates a blockchain innovation program and continues to conduct trials, including a CBDC project.
- •United States: The Department of Commerce has piloted the publication of economic data on blockchain, and Wyoming has issued a state-backed stablecoin.
While many of these initiatives are currently in pilot phases, the pace of adoption can accelerate rapidly once initial successes are demonstrated, similar to the unexpected speed of developments in the cryptocurrency space following past market shifts.
Sign's Preparations for a Market Shift
Sign has secured contracts and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with two national governments, and is actively developing systems for them. In Kyrgyzstan, Sign is responsible for the payment system, while in Sierra Leone, it is developing the digital identity system. These are critical components of national operations.
Although these projects are in their early stages—with Kyrgyzstan's Digital Som CBDC in development and Sierra Leone at the MOU stage—the groundwork is being laid. The successful deployment of these systems to millions of users and the generation of stable revenue will be key milestones.
The significant aspect is that the work is actively in progress. Governments are rigorous in their selection of technology partners, requiring proven capabilities and established trust before entrusting them with national infrastructure. Sign has demonstrably earned this trust in both Kyrgyzstan and Sierra Leone.
Kyrgyzstan: Building the CBDC System
On October 24, 2025, Sign CEO Xin Yan signed a technical service agreement with Mels Atokurov, the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan. This event occurred during the second meeting of the National Committee for Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technology, attended by President Sadyr Japarov and Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), underscoring the government's commitment to digital financial transformation.
The Digital Som, Kyrgyzstan's central bank digital currency, is the focus of this agreement. The government has already granted the Digital Som legal status through an amendment. A pilot program is scheduled to commence in 2025, with a final decision on full issuance expected by the central bank at the end of 2026. If confirmed, the Digital Som would become an official means of payment on January 1, 2027.
Under this agreement, Sign will develop both the pilot platform and the complete CBDC infrastructure. Should the central bank proceed with issuance, robust security and fraud protection measures will be essential, with Sign expected to play a pivotal role in these areas. Sign's Hyperledger Fabric-based CBDC infrastructure is poised to serve as the technical foundation for the Digital Som, while TokenTable could function as the distribution engine and Sign Protocol could handle participant identity verification. The precise technical configuration will be refined as the project progresses.
Sierra Leone: Digital Identity and Payment Infrastructure
On November 6, 2025, Sign CEO Xin Yan signed an MOU with Salima Monorma Bah, representing Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation. This partnership aims to establish a blockchain-based digital ID system and a stablecoin payment infrastructure to serve as the foundation for Sierra Leone's digital economy.
The project encompasses two primary systems: a digital identity platform, which will provide citizens with a verified and reusable identity for accessing government services, opening bank accounts, and utilizing private sector services, thereby eliminating the need for repeated document submissions; and a digital payment system featuring a national digital wallet for seamless transactions between individuals, businesses, and the government. Built on stablecoins, this system promises faster and cheaper transactions, while also expanding financial access to unbanked populations.
The MOU also outlines broader cooperation in areas such as real-world asset tokenization, the development of an innovation ecosystem through Felei Tech City, and a jointly managed innovation fund. While these items represent future directions, the immediate scope of the MOU is focused on the digital ID system and payment infrastructure. Sign Protocol is anticipated to serve as the on-chain attestation system for digital identity, with Layer 2-based stablecoin infrastructure providing the blockchain foundation for the payment system. TokenTable may be employed for distributing government payments or subsidies, with the specific implementation details to be clarified as the project advances.
BNB and Key Partners Accelerate Sign's Government Business
Sign's expansion into government infrastructure is bolstered by strategic investors including Sequoia Capital, Circle, Altos Ventures, and IDG Capital. The partnership with CZ and YZi Labs is particularly instrumental in gaining access to national governments.
The Kyrgyzstan deal exemplifies this synergy. CZ's presence at the signing of the Digital Som agreement with the central bank coincided with the announcement that KGST, a Som-pegged stablecoin, would be issued on BNB Chain. This signifies a close collaboration between Sign and BNB Chain, with the country's stablecoin operating on BNB Chain and its CBDC system being developed by Sign.
This alignment is further reinforced by Sign's status as a portfolio company of YZi Labs, which led Sign's Series A round with a $16 million investment in January 2025 and participated in a subsequent $25.5 million round with IDG Capital in October. CZ has publicly stated his direct support for Sign's government initiatives, detailing conversations and connections made with national governments.
Sign is developing its technology with BNB at its core, evident in the new Sign Sovereign Layer 2 Stack. This government-focused framework, based on opBNB, allows nations to deploy a full Layer 2 stack rapidly, integrating them into the broader BNB ecosystem.
While Sign possesses strong product capabilities, government adoption is driven by more than just technology. Public institutions seek trusted third parties, and external validation significantly accelerates adoption. The support from YZi Labs, CZ, BNB Chain, and investors like Altos Ventures enhances this trust, positioning Sign favorably for expansion into new countries at an accelerated pace.
Sign Shifts Towards Long-Term Growth
By entering the government sector, Sign is transitioning from a focus on short-term survival to long-term growth. The agreements in Kyrgyzstan and Sierra Leone are foundational, with further opportunities, particularly in the Middle East, anticipated.
To ensure that this expansion benefits token holders, a clear structure is essential. Sign conducted a token buyback in August 2025 and plans to implement a framework that allocates a portion of government project revenue to future buybacks, fostering alignment between the business and its community.
The sustainability of any buyback plan hinges on the successful progression of pilot phases. The Digital Som in Kyrgyzstan is undergoing pilot testing in 2025, and Sierra Leone is currently at the MOU stage. These systems must be fully operational, reach millions of users, and generate consistent revenue before buybacks can be reliably sustained.
Sign's survival was secured through TokenTable, and its growth trajectory is now being driven by government business. To fully capitalize on this growth, Sign must transition its pilot projects into large-scale systems and establish a clear link to its community. It is through this strategic execution that the "unsexy" work will ultimately create substantial value.