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As wealth managers increasingly support ultra-high-net-worth families in building investment vehicles beyond traditional portfolios, one key question often arises: Where should the fund be domiciled? For high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and family offices looking to establish private funds outside the U.S., the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Cayman Islands are two of the most common choices.
Each jurisdiction offers tax neutrality, strong legal infrastructure, and access to experienced service providers. But depending on your client’s objectives – whether keeping the structure lean or preparing to bring in outside capital – the choice of domicile can significantly affect fund operations and perception.
Here’s a practical overview of the differences that matter most for U.S. wealth managers advising family offices and HNWI’s.
Why the British Virgin Islands?
First, it is often simpler and more cost-efficient to domicile a fund in the BVI.
The BVI offers a straightforward, low-cost path to fund formation and is especially well-suited for closely held, privately funded vehicles, which are common in the early stages of family office fund development. The regulatory environment is arguably lighter compared to more complex jurisdictions, making it easier to set up and manage the fund without excessive administrative burdens.
For wealth managers working with families that are funding the vehicle with their own capital and not planning to seek outside investors in the near term, the BVI is often a solid first step.
Second, it offers flexible structures for private use.
The BVI has created fund types – such as the Incubator Fund and Approved Fund – that are designed specifically for smaller, privately managed investment vehicles. These allow for a fast setup and minimal regulatory reporting, provided the fund stays under certain thresholds for assets and number of investors.
This can be particularly appealing for U.S. family offices experimenting with direct deals, venture capital, or thematic investments – without immediately triggering institutional-level compliance.
Why the Cayman Islands?
The obvious reason here is the greater level of institutional recognition.
If your client anticipates raising outside capital – perhaps from other families, strategic partners, or institutions down the line – the Cayman Islands may be the better choice. Cayman is widely regarded as the “gold standard” of offshore fund domiciles, with a legal system based on English common law and a long history of working with sophisticated fund structures.
Simply put, Cayman is familiar territory for institutional investors and international banks. This makes it easier to onboard service providers and reassure potential external stakeholders.
Second is the compliance and transparency infrastructure of Cayman vehicles.
Cayman has made major strides to align with global standards on anti-money laundering (AML), tax transparency (including FATCA and CRS), and financial reporting. This may sound like added complexity, but it can actually be beneficial – especially for U.S. family offices that are already subject to heightened compliance expectations.
Wealth managers helping families think several years ahead – perhaps envisioning multi-generational governance, a broader capital base, or cross-border exposure – will find Cayman’s structure well-matched to longer-term planning needs.
The bottom line for U.S. wealth managers
For U.S.-based family offices, both BVI and Cayman offer legitimate, tax-neutral options with well-developed legal systems. If the fund is meant to remain small, private, and internally funded, the BVI offers efficiency and simplicity; this would be a natural choice for family offices, for example. If the fund is part of a bigger vision – especially one involving pensions, endowments, or other institutional capital that brings with it a higher degree of regulatory scrutiny – Cayman may offer the right foundation.
As always, it’s essential to coordinate with legal and tax advisers who specialize in international structures. For wealth managers, asking the right questions early – about investor goals, future growth, and compliance appetite – can ensure your clients choose a domicile that fits not just their current structure, but their long-term vision.
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Gregory Poapst is a Managing Partner at Fundviews Capital. Connect with him on LinkedIn here.
Fundviews Capital is a full-service end-to-end Fund Management Platform. Our platform provides a complete end-to-end solution for asset managers or wealth managers to structure, launch, operate and grow their professional investment funds. You can launch a fund in a matter of weeks, not months, and with minimal capital outlay – not only reducing the risk of launching a fund but also maximizing your chance of success. Once launched, you will find that a dedicated team of professionals is just a phone call or email away at all times, handling all aspects of the back and middle office for your fund.