How blockchain scams trick clueless gov’t agencies, drain taxpayer money

Governments across Asia, Europe and North America have poured millions into blockchain pilots over the past decade, yet a growing body of evidence shows that hype, weak oversight and technical ignorance have made public agencies easy targets for waste and outright fraud.

Between 2017 and 2023, more than 40 national governments launched blockchain initiatives, from land registries to identity systems, according to OECD and World Bank tracking, yet only a fraction moved beyond pilot stages, with several quietly discontinued after consuming millions in consulting and development costs.