BVI Pushes Crypto, Digital Assets and Eyes
BVI Finance showcased the territory’s digital finance capabilities at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, emphasising regulatory clarity, business-friendly structures and cross-border expertise to attract fintech and crypto firms. The territory has also stepped up outreach to African markets — led by CEO Elise Donovan at recent Africa-focused events — positioning the BVI as a connector for capital between Asia, Africa and other emerging regions while responding to international pressure on transparency and beneficial ownership.
The British Virgin Islands has been actively promoting itself as an open, well-regulated destination for crypto and digital-asset businesses while simultaneously expanding outreach to fast-growing African markets. This month BVI Finance sent a delegation to TOKEN2049 in Singapore, one of Asia’s leading Web3 and blockchain events, where representatives used panels and networking to underline that the territory remains open for business for firms working in crypto and digital assets.
According to BVI Finance, participation at TOKEN2049 reinforced the territory’s capacity to meet fintech companies’ needs for stability, access to international markets and clear rules. The push in Singapore builds on findings from BVI Finance’s Destination Digital report, which the organisation says showed 94 percent of fintech leaders view cross-border expansion as central to growth and that many seek jurisdictions with credible legal frameworks and oversight.
Local authorities have pointed to the BVI’s Virtual Assets Service Providers Act (VASP Act) as a cornerstone for enabling innovation while maintaining responsible supervision, including strengthened anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures that international partners expect.
Following the TOKEN2049 outreach, BVI Finance broadened its international engagement by stepping up activity in Africa. BVI Finance CEO Elise Donovan recently represented the territory at two major Africa-focused events — an East African Association gathering and the AFSIC – Investing in Africa 2025 conference — where she highlighted the role of international financial centres like the BVI in mobilising private capital for sustainable development as traditional aid flows decline, according to BVI News.
At those events Donovan emphasised the BVI’s function as a global connector for capital and expertise, noting that 44 percent of BVI company beneficial owners originate from China, a major source of investment into Africa. BVI Finance sponsored and took part as a thought leader at AFSIC, engaging with policymakers, investors, and global law firms that service fintech and offshore finance sectors, BVI News reported.
The expanded Africa outreach comes amid mounting pressure from the United Kingdom and other international actors for greater transparency, including proposals for publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership. BVI officials have warned — as reported by BVI News — that making ownership data public could drive clients away and harm the territory’s financial services industry, which remains its main economic pillar.
For residents, the combined strategy of promoting digital finance at events like TOKEN2049 and deepening ties with Africa could bring new business, jobs and training in legal, compliance, tech and financial services. But officials also stress that attracting legitimate fintech and digital-asset firms will require sustained investment in compliance, supervision and capacity-building so the territory can meet tougher global standards while protecting its reputation.
BVI Finance says these international engagements are part of a wider strategy to modernise the territory’s offerings, diversify markets — including Latin America and Africa — and maintain world-class regulatory standards while embracing digital transformation to safeguard the long-term health of the BVI’s financial services sector.
Primary source: BVI News