Antigua to accept Cryptocurrencies for Citizenship
You can become a citizen of Antigua for about 12 bitcoins. Antigua’s long standing Citizenship by Investment programme has recently changed the Antigua Citizenship by Investment Programme Act to allow cryptocurrencies as a new form of payment. Hon. Gaston Browne the Minister of Finance announced that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will be accepted and highlighted that despite the risks associated with the volatility of cryptocurrencies, the country could benefit from using cryptocurrencies as a method of payment. In order to mitigate risks, the government will convert cryptocurrencies to US dollars on a daily basis. Antigua and Barbuda has been looking for ways to be a cryptocurrency-friendly country and has also implemented regulations allowing for certain government services to be paid in cryptocurrencies.
In order to be a leader in the Citizenship by Investment industry it is necessary to be open to emerging technologies and accepting different currencies for payment such as cryptocurrencies. — Jennifer Harding-Marlin , Citizenship by Investment
Other Caribbean nations are also looking to implement crypto-favourable legislation and explore accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. Nearby Caribbean Island St.Kitts & Nevis will be introducing new currencies for obtaining St.Kitts & Nevis Citizenship. St.Kitts & Nevis has had a first reading in parliament regarding the introduction of cryptocurrencies as an accepted method of payment. Given the advantages that cryptocurrencies can offer, especially in terms of facilitating international payments, it is likely that Caribbean countries that offer Citizenship by Investment will consider in detail accepting cryptocurrencies for citizenship in the near future.
Jennifer Harding-Marlin
Canadian & St.Kitts & Nevis Attorney
jennifer@jhmarlin.com or jhmarlin@protonmail.com
