British Virgin Islands

At a glance

Choose the route your business actually needs.

VASP registration, investment-business licensing and fund recognition are distinct routes. Incorporating a BVI company does not authorise regulated activities or access to overseas customers.

• VASP registration and a securities investment business licence serve different purposes; tokenised investment products may engage both analyses.
• Define custody, exchange, transfers and other virtual-asset services, and distinguish own-account activity from services for others.
• Map where customers reside. BVI status does not remove licensing or marketing restrictions in customer jurisdictions.

Permissions & perimeter

Distinct activities. Distinct requirements.

Application evidence

Prepare a coherent submission—not just forms.

The exact checklist depends on the authority, permission and applicant. These workstreams establish a practical preparation baseline; authority-specific forms and evidence take precedence.

1. 01Business plan and activity map: products, customer types, revenue, execution flow and target countries.
2. 02Ownership and control chart, source of funds, beneficial-owner evidence and fit-and-proper files for management.
3. 03Financial projections, capital and liquidity plan, staffing, local presence and outsourcing arrangements.
4. 04AML/CFT risk assessment, customer due diligence, sanctions screening, monitoring and reporting procedures.
5. 05Governance, compliance monitoring, complaints, cybersecurity, business continuity and incident-response policies.
6. 06Virtual-asset service descriptions, wallet and custody design, independent assurance arrangements and key compliance appointments.

Assessment to launch

A structured path through the application.

1. 01Assess the VASP Act, securities investment business and fund perimeter.
2. 02Confirm entity, substance and appointment requirements with local advisers.
3. 03Prepare the FSC registration or licence application and service-specific controls.
4. 04Respond to FSC questions and satisfy conditions before regulated operations.
5. 05Maintain AML/CFT, reporting, governance and approved business scope.

Capital, fees and timing vary by permission and applicant. Incorporation, initial approval or a pending application does not by itself permit regulated operations. Approval remains the regulator's decision.

Beyond the licence

Compliance and risk must work in practice.

Build a permissions register, regulatory calendar and control-testing programme. Assign owners for financial-crime controls, client assets, outsourcing, cyber incidents, complaints and board reporting. Reassess permissions before adding products, jurisdictions or distribution channels.

General advisory guidance, not a legal opinion or a guarantee of eligibility. Confirm current rules and local legal requirements for the proposed business before taking action.