Americas & Caribbean · VG
British Virgin Islands
One of the most widely used company regimes, with BVI FSC licensing and registration for investment business, money services and virtual asset service providers.
At a glance
- Status
- British Overseas Territory
- Region
- Americas & Caribbean
- Regulated sectors
- PaymentsCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- FSC · FIA
- Licensing routes
- 3
Overview
The framework
The British Virgin Islands is a British Overseas Territory and one of the most widely used jurisdictions for international holding and special-purpose companies, formed under the BVI Business Companies Act.
The Financial Services Commission licenses investment business under the Securities and Investment Business Act and money services businesses, and registers virtual asset service providers under the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act 2022. We identify the route the activity needs and prepare the file.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC)
- Investment business, funds, money services and virtual asset service providers.
- Financial Investigation Agency (FIA)
- Financial intelligence unit; AML/CFT reporting.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Investment business licence (SIBA)
Licensing for dealing, arranging, managing and advising on investments.
Sectors: Investment
VASP registration
Registration of virtual asset service providers under the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act 2022.
Sectors: Crypto
Money services business licence
Licensing of money transmission and currency exchange businesses.
Sectors: Payments
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Plan how BVI entities carrying on relevant activities will meet economic substance rules.
- Present the whole group and its substance clearly: banks assess BVI entities in that context.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
British Virgin Islands: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
British Virgin Islands: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.