Key takeaways
-
Vanuatu is without doubt one of the quickest international locations to supply citizenship, with crypto accepted by way of licensed brokers.
-
Dominica and Saint Lucia supply Caribbean citizenship in months utilizing crypto transformed by way of trusted businesses.
-
Portugal gives EU residency and a path to citizenship by way of crypto-linked funding funds.
-
El Salvador gives direct citizenship by way of a $1-million Bitcoin or USDT funding, with no fiat wanted.
Crypto and globality are a powerful mind-map pair in 2025.
It may not be that a lot of a shock, then, that each citizenship-by-investment crypto applications and golden visas with crypto are showing to satisfy the wants of buyers 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 buyers.
This article explores 4 crypto-friendly international locations for citizenship or residency, protecting each direct and oblique crypto cost fashions, as of July 2025.
1. Vanuatu: Buy citizenship with crypto
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (CBI) by way of the Development Support Program (DSP)
Vanuatu gives one of many quickest second passport routes on the earth, with citizenship usually 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
While 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 complete software course of.
This permits crypto holders to make use of their property each to display wealth and to fund the donation, offered that customary Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols are met.
Some brokers even promote the power to pay by way of Bitcoin for the full funding price, usually between $115,000 and $130,000, streamlining entry for crypto passport seekers.
Notes
-
100% distant course of — no residency or in-person interviews required
-
No language, schooling, or keep necessities
-
Dual citizenship is allowed
-
Tax-free on private revenue, capital positive factors, wealth and inheritance
-
Visa-free journey to 90+ international locations, although Schengen entry is at present beneath overview
-
Family inclusion: spouses, dependent youngsters (beneath 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 looking for safety and mobility.
Did you realize? Vanuatu is without doubt one of the few international locations on the earth and not using a army — residents get pleasure from international neutrality and low geopolitical threat.
2. Dominica and Saint Lucia: Countries accepting crypto for residency
Caribbean CBI Schemes
-
Dominica: $200,000+ donation to the Economic Diversification Fund
-
Saint Lucia: $240,000+ donation or $300,000+ in permitted actual property.
Both international locations supply fast-track second passports, processed in 4 to 9 months, with distant software procedures and no bodily presence required.
Crypto integration
Licensed businesses (equivalent to Apex Capital Partners, Global Residence Index and Citizenship Bay) settle for Bitcoin, Tether’s USDt (USDT) and different main property. These are transformed into fiat on behalf of candidates to satisfy official necessities.
Applicants can handle the method end-to-end utilizing crypto, working with brokers to deal with all the things from proof of funds to submission and approval — very best for these researching transfer overseas with crypto or looking for a passport with Bitcoin.
Notes
Pros:
-
Efficient processing occasions (beneath a 12 months)
-
Strong passports: visa-free or visa-on-arrival to the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and extra
-
Entire households could be included (partner, youngsters and, in lots of instances, dad and mom)
-
No bodily presence, language check or residency obligations.
Cons:
For these looking for residency by funding by way of crypto or seeking to purchase citizenship with crypto in a steady jurisdiction, these Caribbean choices stay enticing.
Did you realize? Dominica runs the longest repeatedly 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 high vacation spot for these looking for residency by funding utilizing crypto-funded wealth.
Since 2023, the main target of the Golden Visa program has shifted from actual property to regulated funding funds, scientific analysis and firm formation. The typical 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 beneath legislative overview as of July 2025.
Applicants 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 buyers.
Crypto integration
While Portugal doesn’t settle for direct crypto for golden visa investments, a number of certified funds now supply publicity to blockchain-related property:
-
Bitcoin enterprise funds centered on Portuguese blockchain startups
-
The Golden Crypto Fund, mixing fastened revenue with as much as 35% in BTC and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
-
Custom “3 BTC funding” gives, pegged to satisfy the five hundred,000-euro threshold.
All buildings are visa-approved, although they function by way of fiat conversions by way of licensed intermediaries — very best for these asking get a golden visa with Bitcoin or acquire entry to crypto-friendly governments.
Notes
-
No language check or full-time residency necessities
-
Full EU residency rights and citizenship path (pending legislative updates)
-
Favorable crypto tax surroundings: Long-term crypto positive factors are tax-exempt for people
-
Family inclusion (partner, dependent youngsters and typically dad and mom).
The solely downsides are a comparatively excessive entry price and software backlogs, with some delays exceeding 12 months.
Portugal stays one of many high crypto passport international locations within the EU, with robust governance and a deep expertise base in blockchain innovation.
Did you realize? Portugal has a legislation that grants computerized 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 gives each residency and an expedited path to citizenship in return for a $1-million funding in Bitcoin or USDt. The program is capped at 1,000 buyers yearly, aligning with the nation’s broader Bitcoin adoption technique.
Crypto integration
The program is designed for direct crypto cost:
-
Applicants submit an preliminary $999 in BTC or USDT as a non-refundable software deposit.
-
Upon approval, they make investments the remaining $999,001 in permitted initiatives.
-
Tether handles the crypto-to-fiat infrastructure, enabling the federal government to immediately obtain investments in digital property.
El Salvador stays a world chief amongst international locations accepting crypto for residency.
Notes
-
Fast-track timeline of round six weeks to preliminary approval, then citizenship inside months
-
Applies to total households: spouses, youngsters and infrequently prolonged kinfolk
-
No bodily keep requirement: a real passport with Bitcoin expertise
-
Citizenship granted by way of accelerated naturalization (not on the spot however speedy)
-
Investments assist nationwide improvement, together with schooling, tech and infrastructure.
This program is a singular supply for these seeking to purchase citizenship with crypto immediately, bypassing fiat intermediaries solely.
Did you realize? 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.
Comparison of crypto migration applications (2025)
As discovered, 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. Investment thresholds vary from $100,000 to $1 million, with various timelines and crypto acceptance strategies.
Here is a fast abstract of the crypto migration applications provided by these firms:
Kazakhstan: An rising hub with 10-year golden visa
Kazakhstan Golden Visa (10-year residency)
In May 2025, Kazakhstan launched a 10-year renewable residency allow, turning into Central Asia’s first nation to supply an official visa-by-investment route. While it doesn’t grant quick citizenship, it offers a long-term authorized base for international buyers seeking to take part in an rising frontier market.
The required funding is $300,000, positioned both within the fairness of a neighborhood firm or in publicly traded Kazakh securities.
Crypto integration
Kazakhstan has positioned itself as a crypto-friendly authorities. The Ministry of Digital Development is pushing for a nationwide crypto reserve and licensing crypto banks, and the nation runs energetic regulatory sandboxes.
However, no direct crypto funds are at present accepted beneath the golden visa. Investors should convert their crypto property into fiat earlier than making use of. In time, licensed intermediaries might permit smoother BTC/USDT conversions aligned with visa necessities.
Notes
-
One of probably the most inexpensive long-term residency applications at $300,000
-
Family members (partner and dependents) included beneath one visa
-
Tax incentives, equivalent to a flat 10% revenue tax and potential international revenue exemptions
-
Strategic geographic place between Europe and Asia.
However, there’s no computerized citizenship, and candidates should reside for not less than 5 years, converse Kazakh or Russian and surrender earlier citizenships.
Kazakhstan is rising as a viable base for crypto relocation, whilst its visa course of stays fiat-only in 2025.
Did you realize? Kazakhstan is dwelling to the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), a separate authorized zone with its personal crypto-friendly framework based mostly on English frequent legislation.
St. Kitts & Nevis: Accepts crypto as proof of wealth for citizenship functions
In a major transfer for crypto buyers looking for second passports, St. Kitts & Nevis has begun accepting cryptocurrency holdings as partial proof of funds beneath its citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program. While crypto can’t be used on to make the funding, it might now depend towards demonstrating the applicant’s general web price.
Starting in March 2025, the nation’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) up to date its software guidelines to permit digital property, equivalent to BTC or ETH, to function a part of an applicant’s wealth declaration. This marks an necessary step towards integrating crypto into international migration and funding frameworks.
Please observe that functions involving crypto could also be topic to further due diligence charges and prolonged background checks to make sure compliance with AML laws. Applicants should submit full documentation, together with:
-
Proof of possession of the crypto property
-
Transaction historical past to ascertain origin of funds
-
Valuation stories on the time of submission.
Crypto buyers may also embrace members of the family, equivalent to a partner, youngsters and dependent dad and mom, beneath a single citizenship software, offered customary vetting standards are met.
Residency by funding crypto: What to remember
For crypto buyers pursuing international mobility, a number of sensible components ought to information your planning.
Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable. Regardless of the vacation spot, you’ll must undergo KYC/AML procedures, confirm the supply of funds and infrequently convert crypto to fiat by way of licensed brokers or legislation companies. This course of ensures legality and transparency throughout all crypto migration applications.
Due diligence necessities could be stringent — particularly in Caribbean CBI schemes, the place multi-layered background checks and ongoing compliance monitoring are customary. These processes might have an effect on your timeline and eligibility, notably in case your crypto exercise lacks clear documentation.
Policy shifts are one other key consideration. For occasion, Portugal’s pending laws might prolong the naturalization timeline from 5 to 10 years, immediately impacting these focusing on EU citizenship by way of crypto-linked investments. Always account for doable adjustments in residency by funding crypto paths.
Lastly, working with professionals accustomed to crypto relocation ideas, together with tax planning and authorized structuring, is crucial. Migration attorneys versed in digital property and worldwide compliance might help keep away from pricey missteps.
Across 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 totally different timelines, household wants and crypto liquidity preferences.
This article doesn’t include funding recommendation or suggestions. Every funding and buying and selling transfer entails threat, and readers ought to conduct their very own analysis when making a call.
