St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Now Accepts Crypto as a Source of Wealth

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of Saint Kitts & Nevis has announced that it will now accept cryptocurrency as a partial source of wealth for citizenship applicants.

The change was communicated to authorized agents via official correspondence from the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Applicants declaring digital assets will be required to provide separate verification documents and pay additional due diligence fees.

This move reflects the CIU’s acknowledgment of crypto as a legitimate part of modern financial portfolios, while still applying strict compliance standards.

New CIP Rules on Crypto, Sponsorship, and Documentation

Under the updated guidelines, individuals applying for citizenship can now declare cryptocurrency holdings as part of their financial portfolio.

However, crypto can only be used as a partial source, and must be supported by documentation proving origin, value, and ownership. Applicants must also pay higher due diligence fees specific to digital assets.

In addition to the cryptocurrency policy, the CIU has implemented several other changes:

• Family Sponsorship Expansion: Applications may now be financially sponsored by the parents or children of the main applicant, provided that the relationship is substantiated through official birth certificates.

• Stringent Sponsor Requirements: Sponsors are obligated to submit extensive documentation and are subject to thorough due diligence checks to ensure their suitability and financial capability.

• Modification in Name Change Procedures: The process for altering names on Certificates of Registration has been suspended. Moving forward, any name changes will be processed during passport renewal periods, streamlining administrative procedures.

These updates reflect St. Kitts & Nevis’s commitment to keeping its Citizenship by Investment Program in step with evolving global financial norms while maintaining rigorous oversight.