BVI sailing into the future on digital assets

Regulatory frameworks in the British Virgin Islands are evolving to meet the complex demands of Web3, tokenized securities and permissionless financial systems without sacrificing regulatory credibility.

This was one of several key takeaways from discussions at BVI Finance event Fintech on the Seas, held at Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island and Oil Nut Bay at the end of June. Ogier was proud to be a key sponsor of the event, which brought together a curated group of innovators, professional service providers, regulators, and thought leaders to engage in high-impact discussions on the future of digital finance, particularly within the BVI’s fast-evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

The conference showcased the BVI as an active architect of its legal foundation rather than a passive beneficiary of digital finance growth. With regulatory clarity improving and industry stakeholders increasingly turning to the territory for certainty and flexibility, the conference marked a pivotal moment of alignment between policy, practice, and innovation.

Topics ranged from tokenization and DAOs (decentralized autonomous organisations) to decentralized finance (DeFi) compliance, VASP (virtual asset service provider) licensing, and the broader geopolitical direction of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Each session attracted global minds in legal, technical, and entrepreneurial spaces – all invested in building robust and credible digital asset ecosystems anchored in sound jurisdictions like the BVI.

Ogier partner Michael Killourhy, who is also transactional head in the BVI as well as the co-head of the firm's global Technology and Web3 practice, took part in two panel sessions during the conference.

He joined Hash Directors founder Petri Basson and other industry advisers to discuss "The Regulatory Implications of Token Issuance". The panel explored, among other things, the delicate balance between innovation and oversight. Michael emphasized the BVI’s nimble regulatory stance, noting how its principles-based legal system allows for creative structuring of digital asset projects without compromising investor protections. Drawing on Ogier’s recent experience advising on numerous token issuances, Michael offered a practitioner’s roadmap for compliant token launches.

Michael also moderated a highly anticipated session on "The State of Decentralized Finance", joined by key industry leaders and professionals including Cécile Mella, chief financial officer of the leading specialist decentralized exchange P00LS. The conversation soon turned from the current state of DeFi to the frontier of financial autonomy as Michael helped the panel unpack the intersection of DeFi and traditional finance, addressing both the promise and friction of decentralized protocols.

The consensus was that BVI is positioning itself not just as a venue for registration, but as a jurisdiction offering governance legitimacy, regulatory clarity, and institutional-grade legal structuring for DeFi ventures.

BVI partner Nicholas Brookes and counsel Stuart Fee also represented Ogier at Fintech on the Seas, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to shaping the narrative of FinTech in all the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Whether wholly decentralized or a happy, balanced combination of "TradFi" and DeFi, the future of finance is likely to be found in collaborative frameworks across borders, oceans, and time zones.

How Ogier can help

In this emerging world, Ogier professionals across the globe are well placed to help ensure that our fintech clients have the best possible pilot as they navigate future seas. To learn more, read about our Technology and Web3 services or contact one any of the team below.

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Disclaimer

This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.

Regulatory information can be found under Legal Notice