Jul 2020
As the global leader in alternative investment funds and one of the most innovative financial centres in the world, it is unsurprising that the Cayman Islands has quickly become a popular destination for cryptocurrency vehicles and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
There are several other reasons why Cayman is an attractive jurisdiction for FinTech business, including the fact that it offers tax neutrality, a stable political system, judicial ties to the United Kingdom and support via sophisticated professional services firms.
There is always a balancing act between adopting a pro-industry approach to exciting new business and maintaining the highest standards of governance. Cayman, like the rest of world, is considering how best to regulate and place controls on the cryptocurrency space.
In this article, we consider recent case law and developments regarding the treatment of this FinTech business and the legal status of this relatively new and evolving asset class, to predict how the Cayman Islands and other jurisdictions may treat crypto assets and deal with disputes as they arise.
Co-authored with Robert Amey, Barrister, South Square.