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The Growing Role of Cryptocurrencies in International Immigration and Citizenship
In a world where financial flexibility and international mobility are increasingly coveted, Apex Capital founder Nuri Katz says crypto is playing a growing role in helping people buy freedom.
Roundtable presenter Rob Nelson recently sat down with Katz at the Bitcoin Conference to delve deeper into the intricacies of acquiring citizenship through investment, leveraging digital assets like bitcoin.
“We help people obtain citizenship through various investment products and represent them in quasi-judicial procedures required by governments,” Katz explains. This process involves extensive due diligence and know-your-customer (KYC) to ensure that applicants meet strict international security standards.
For those wondering about the specifics, Katz said the investment process can involve real estate, government bonds or even donations to smaller countries. Those countries, like Malta, Montenegro and several Caribbean nations, welcome investment as a way to boost their economies. “That’s not possible in France,” Katz noted, noting the unique opportunities that smaller countries present.
The discussion then turned to the motivations behind investors seeking citizenship. Katz explained that this approach allows for jurisdictional arbitrage, providing greater freedom of movement for people from countries with more restrictive travel policies. He noted that even Americans in the cryptocurrency space are now looking at these products as a form of diversification and risk management. “Keeping all your assets in one asset class is very risky,” Katz said.
This diversification is not limited to financial assets alone. Acquiring a second citizenship helps protect against potential future uncertainties in one’s home country. “You protect your bitcoins and your life,” Katz said, emphasizing the strategic advantage of having multiple citizenships.
Nelson concluded the discussion by emphasizing the appeal of this strategy. With a second citizenship, individuals are not limited by the regulations of a single government, giving them the flexibility to move and live in different parts of the world. Katz summed it up succinctly: “If you’re just an American citizen, you’re limited by a single government. Today, you’re limited by a single government.”
Countries continue to experiment with identity and citizenship on blockchain. The island nation of Palau recently rolled out its digital ID program on Solana.