Key takeaways
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Vanuatu is without doubt one of the quickest international locations to supply citizenship, with crypto accepted by way of licensed brokers.
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Dominica and Saint Lucia supply Caribbean citizenship in months utilizing crypto transformed through trusted companies.
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Portugal presents EU residency and a path to citizenship by way of crypto-linked funding funds.
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El Salvador presents direct citizenship by way of a $1-million Bitcoin or USDT funding, with no fiat wanted.
Crypto and globality are a robust mind-map pair in 2025.
It won’t be that a lot of a shock, then, that each citizenship-by-investment crypto applications and golden visas with crypto are showing to fulfill the wants of traders holding Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and stablecoins. What was as soon as a fiat-only world now consists of pathways tailor-made for these dwelling a crypto-rich life-style.
Most governments nonetheless require fiat contributions for these applications, however a rising variety of licensed migration brokers now settle for crypto, changing it into native forex earlier than submitting it to authorities.
A handful of jurisdictions go additional, providing alternatives starting from fast-track second passports to long-term residency for traders.
This text explores 4 crypto-friendly international locations for citizenship or residency, protecting each direct and oblique crypto fee fashions, as of July 2025.
1. Vanuatu: Purchase citizenship with crypto
Vanuatu Citizenship by Funding (CBI) through the Improvement Assist Program (DSP)
Vanuatu presents one of many quickest second passport routes on the earth, with citizenship sometimes granted inside 30-60 days. The required donation begins at $130,000 for single candidates and scales to $180,000 for a household of 4.
Crypto integration
Whereas the federal government itself doesn’t settle for direct crypto, licensed brokers are permitted to obtain Bitcoin or stablecoins, convert them to fiat and deal with the total utility course of.
This enables crypto holders to make use of their belongings each to show wealth and to fund the donation, offered that commonplace Know Your Buyer (KYC) and Anti-Cash Laundering (AML) protocols are met.
Some brokers even promote the flexibility to pay through Bitcoin for the full funding price, sometimes between $115,000 and $130,000, streamlining entry for crypto passport seekers.
Notes
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100% distant course of — no residency or in-person interviews required
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No language, training, or keep necessities
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Twin citizenship is allowed
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Tax-free on private earnings, capital good points, wealth and inheritance
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Visa-free journey to 90+ international locations, although Schengen entry is presently underneath assessment
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Household inclusion: spouses, dependent kids (underneath 25) and fogeys (over 50).
This is without doubt one of the few citizenship-by-investment crypto choices providing true velocity and discretion, interesting to digital nomads and crypto founders searching for safety and mobility.
Do you know? Vanuatu is without doubt one of the few international locations on the earth with out a army — residents take pleasure in international neutrality and low geopolitical danger.
2. Dominica and Saint Lucia: Nations accepting crypto for residency
Caribbean CBI Schemes
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Dominica: $200,000+ donation to the Financial Diversification Fund
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Saint Lucia: $240,000+ donation or $300,000+ in accredited actual property.
Each international locations supply fast-track second passports, processed in 4 to 9 months, with distant utility procedures and no bodily presence required.
Crypto integration
Licensed companies (corresponding to Apex Capital Companions, International Residence Index and Citizenship Bay) settle for Bitcoin, Tether’s USDt (USDT) and different main belongings. These are transformed into fiat on behalf of candidates to fulfill official necessities.
Candidates can handle the method end-to-end utilizing crypto, working with brokers to deal with all the pieces from proof of funds to submission and approval — ultimate for these researching transfer overseas with crypto or searching for a passport with Bitcoin.
Notes
Execs:
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Environment friendly processing occasions (underneath a 12 months)
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Sturdy passports: visa-free or visa-on-arrival to the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and extra
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Whole households will be included (partner, kids and, in lots of instances, dad and mom)
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No bodily presence, language take a look at or residency obligations.
Cons:
For these searching for residency by funding through crypto or trying to purchase citizenship with crypto in a steady jurisdiction, these Caribbean choices stay engaging.
Do you know? Dominica runs the longest constantly energetic citizenship-by-investment program on the earth, launched in 1993.
3. Portugal: Golden visa with crypto
Portugal Golden Visa (residency-by-investment)
Portugal stays a prime vacation spot for these searching for residency by funding utilizing crypto-funded wealth.
Since 2023, the main focus of the Golden Visa program has shifted from actual property to regulated funding funds, scientific analysis and firm formation. The standard qualifying funding is 500,000 euros, often positioned in a Portuguese CMVM-regulated fund.
Residency can result in citizenship after 5 years, although a proposed extension to 10 years is underneath legislative assessment as of July 2025.
Candidates should spend solely seven days within the first 12 months and 14 days each two years, making it appropriate for crypto nomads and long-term traders.
Crypto integration
Whereas Portugal doesn’t settle for direct crypto for golden visa investments, a number of certified funds now supply publicity to blockchain-related belongings:
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Bitcoin enterprise funds targeted on Portuguese blockchain startups
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The Golden Crypto Fund, mixing fastened earnings with as much as 35% in BTC and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
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Customized “3 BTC funding” presents, pegged to fulfill the five hundred,000-euro threshold.
All buildings are visa-approved, although they function by way of fiat conversions through licensed intermediaries — ultimate for these asking get a golden visa with Bitcoin or achieve entry to crypto-friendly governments.
Notes
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No language take a look at or full-time residency necessities
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Full EU residency rights and citizenship path (pending legislative updates)
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Favorable crypto tax atmosphere: Lengthy-term crypto good points are tax-exempt for people
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Household inclusion (partner, dependent kids and generally dad and mom).
The one downsides are a comparatively excessive entry price and utility backlogs, with some delays exceeding 12 months.
Portugal stays one of many prime crypto passport international locations within the EU, with robust governance and a deep expertise base in blockchain innovation.
Do you know? Portugal has a legislation that grants automated citizenship to third-generation descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled within the fifteenth century.
4. El Salvador: Bitcoin golden visa
El Salvador Freedom Visa (crypto-native residency and citizenship)
Launched in December 2023 in partnership with Tether, El Salvador’s Freedom Visa is the world’s first totally crypto-native migration program. It presents each residency and an expedited path to citizenship in return for a $1-million funding in Bitcoin or USDt. This system is capped at 1,000 traders yearly, aligning with the nation’s broader Bitcoin adoption technique.
Crypto integration
This system is designed for direct crypto fee:
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Candidates submit an preliminary $999 in BTC or USDT as a non-refundable utility deposit.
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Upon approval, they make investments the remaining $999,001 in accredited initiatives.
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Tether handles the crypto-to-fiat infrastructure, enabling the federal government to immediately obtain investments in digital belongings.
El Salvador stays a worldwide chief amongst international locations accepting crypto for residency.
Notes
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Quick-track timeline of round six weeks to preliminary approval, then citizenship inside months
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Applies to whole households: spouses, kids and sometimes prolonged family
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No bodily keep requirement: a real passport with Bitcoin expertise
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Citizenship granted through accelerated naturalization (not instantaneous however fast)
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Investments assist nationwide growth, together with training, tech and infrastructure.
This program is a novel supply for these trying to purchase citizenship with crypto immediately, bypassing fiat intermediaries fully.
Do you know? El Salvador was the primary nation to undertake Bitcoin as authorized tender, and its president, Nayib Bukele, holds workplace whereas additionally managing a nationwide Bitcoin treasury.
Comparability of crypto migration applications (2025)
As realized, a number of international locations now supply residency or citizenship in trade for crypto-funded investments, from fast-track citizenship in Vanuatu and El Salvador to long-term residency paths in Portugal and Kazakhstan. Funding thresholds vary from $100,000 to $1 million, with various timelines and crypto acceptance strategies.
Here’s a fast abstract of the crypto migration applications provided by these corporations:
Kazakhstan: An rising hub with 10-year golden visa
Kazakhstan Golden Visa (10-year residency)
In Might 2025, Kazakhstan launched a 10-year renewable residency allow, changing into Central Asia’s first nation to supply an official visa-by-investment route. Whereas it doesn’t grant fast citizenship, it gives a long-term authorized base for international traders trying to take part in an rising frontier market.
The required funding is $300,000, positioned both within the fairness of an area firm or in publicly traded Kazakh securities.
Crypto integration
Kazakhstan has positioned itself as a crypto-friendly authorities. The Ministry of Digital Improvement is pushing for a nationwide crypto reserve and licensing crypto banks, and the nation runs energetic regulatory sandboxes.
Nevertheless, no direct crypto funds are presently accepted underneath the golden visa. Buyers should convert their crypto belongings into fiat earlier than making use of. In time, licensed intermediaries could enable smoother BTC/USDT conversions aligned with visa necessities.
Notes
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One of the crucial reasonably priced long-term residency applications at $300,000
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Relations (partner and dependents) included underneath one visa
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Tax incentives, corresponding to a flat 10% earnings tax and potential overseas earnings exemptions
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Strategic geographic place between Europe and Asia.
Nevertheless, there’s no automated citizenship, and candidates should reside for a minimum of 5 years, communicate Kazakh or Russian and surrender earlier citizenships.
Kazakhstan is rising as a viable base for crypto relocation, at the same time as its visa course of stays fiat-only in 2025.
Do you know? Kazakhstan is house to the Astana Worldwide Monetary Centre (AIFC), a separate authorized zone with its personal crypto-friendly framework primarily based on English widespread legislation.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Accepts crypto as proof of wealth for citizenship purposes
In a big transfer for crypto traders searching for second passports, St. Kitts & Nevis has begun accepting cryptocurrency holdings as partial proof of funds underneath its citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program. Whereas crypto can’t be used on to make the funding, it could now rely towards demonstrating the applicant’s total web price.
Beginning in March 2025, the nation’s Citizenship by Funding Unit (CIU) up to date its utility guidelines to permit digital belongings, corresponding to BTC or ETH, to function a part of an applicant’s wealth declaration. This marks an essential step towards integrating crypto into international migration and funding frameworks.
Please word that purposes involving crypto could also be topic to further due diligence charges and prolonged background checks to make sure compliance with AML laws. Candidates should submit full documentation, together with:
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Proof of possession of the crypto belongings
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Transaction historical past to ascertain origin of funds
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Valuation stories on the time of submission.
Crypto traders can even embrace members of the family, corresponding to a partner, kids and dependent dad and mom, underneath a single citizenship utility, offered commonplace vetting standards are met.
Residency by funding crypto: What to bear in mind
For crypto traders pursuing international mobility, a number of sensible elements ought to information your planning.
Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Whatever the vacation spot, you’ll must undergo KYC/AML procedures, confirm the supply of funds and sometimes convert crypto to fiat through licensed brokers or legislation companies. This course of ensures legality and transparency throughout all crypto migration applications.
Due diligence necessities will be stringent — particularly in Caribbean CBI schemes, the place multi-layered background checks and ongoing compliance monitoring are commonplace. These processes could have an effect on your timeline and eligibility, notably in case your crypto exercise lacks clear documentation.
Coverage shifts are one other key consideration. As an example, Portugal’s pending laws might prolong the naturalization timeline from 5 to 10 years, immediately impacting these concentrating on EU citizenship by way of crypto-linked investments. All the time account for attainable adjustments in residency by funding crypto paths.
Lastly, working with professionals acquainted with crypto relocation ideas, together with tax planning and authorized structuring, is important. Migration attorneys versed in digital belongings and worldwide compliance can assist keep away from expensive missteps.
Throughout the 4 applications profiled — El Salvador’s crypto-first citizenship, Portugal’s fund-based EU residency and three versatile CBI choices in Vanuatu, Dominica and St. Lucia — you will have a spectrum of choices that match completely different timelines, household wants and crypto liquidity preferences.
This text doesn’t comprise funding recommendation or suggestions. Each funding and buying and selling transfer includes danger, and readers ought to conduct their very own analysis when making a choice.