Offshore Structure + Crypto as a Solo EU-Based Entrepreneur

[BasedOperative]

Hi OCT,

I'm a solo digital entrepreneur exploring gray-area strategies to optimize my tax situation while retaining financial flexibility and privacy.

The Structure I’m Considering:​

• Set up an offshore company (BVI, US LLC, Hong Kong, or UAE) using nominee directors and shareholders (even not just nominees).
  
• Run a legitimate online business (consulting, info products, affiliate income) through that entity.
  
• Convert most profits into stablecoins, held in cold wallets (not on centralized exchanges).
  
• Personally reside in Europe year-round, spending over 183 days in one country (i.e. tax resident).
  
• Invoice the offshore company as a sole trader for occasional freelance work , to justify doing some work for it and pay some tax locally.
  
• Keep the majority of profits (95%+) in stablecoins, with plans to cash out 5+ years later, after moving to a zero-tax country.
  

---

Main Goals:​

• Maintain privacy and financial flexibility
  
• Minimize taxes while remaining reasonably compliant
  
• Protect assets from potential future government overreach or banking restrictions
  
• Use crypto for its relative resistance to seizure and surveillance
  

I’m aware of CFC rules, POEM/PE, Automatic information exchange (CRS/FATCA). That said, I’m unclear where the practical enforcement limits are,especially if I:

• Don’t repatriate the funds
  
• Don’t transfer anything to myself
  
• Avoid tranferring the company’s funds to personal FIAT bank accounts
  
• Have a nominee director/shareholder, even not just a nominee (ie: a person I trust)
  

Questions:​

• Has anyone here implemented something similar or seen it done successfully?
  
• What legal/tax pitfalls should I be most cautious of?
  
• Would this structure raise red flags if I’m clearly a full-year EU resident?
  
• Any advice or resources on where the risk lines really are?
  

I understand this is not compliant, I’m just trying to navigate these gray zones intelligently.

Appreciate any thoughts, personal stories, or resources.

Thanks

 

[apres777]

Ofc it︊ will work but it just pure tax fraud and no "grey area" even if you︋ might want to tell yourself that lol

In the end a lot of it stays︌ and falls with your nominee / the service you use. Is he trusted, will you︍ set up proper contracts with him / her or just agree with him to use︎ his data for the company setup + KYC and dump the company after some time.️

Depending on where exactly you're based in Europe this can also get you into a‌ lot of trouble.

I would highly reconsider it if it's worth it and how much‍ you plan to generate / "save" with this setup.

After all I would definitely try⁠ to avoid to generate any direct connection with the company by invoicing it, this will⁤ point directly to you.

 

[OVZA LLC]

What you're describing is a structure we see proposed a lot, especially in crypto or‌ digital nomad circles. But there’s one part that needs to be taken seriously , nominee‍ directors and shareholders.

Nominee structures are often pitched as a shortcut to privacy. And that’s⁠ exactly the problem , they’re shortcuts. They’re not designed for real legal safety, and any⁤ professional advisor who recommends them is either inexperienced or taking a risk on your behalf.⁣ You’re placing legal ownership in someone else's name , someone whose background, intentions, or liabilities⁢ you probably don’t fully know. If that nominee is ever involved in something questionable, it’s︀ your company that gets dragged into the fallout. We’ve seen that happen more than once,︁ and it’s always ugly.

At OVZA, we don’t offer nominee services. Not because we can’t︂ , but because we don’t believe anyone serious about long-term asset protection should be relying︃ on someone else to “stand in” for them. There are far better ways to structure︄ offshore ownership discreetly and legally.

One of the most reliable, time-tested tools for this is︅ the Marshall Islands bearer share company. In this structure, ownership is based entirely on possession︆ of a physical share certificate , there’s no registry of shareholders, and no names filed︇ publicly or privately. If you hold the certificate, you own the company. That’s it. It’s︈ one of the few remaining options for true anonymity without needing a third-party front.

This isn’t theoretical , it’s a legal mechanism that still works today, when used properly. And︉ unlike nominee setups, it doesn’t depend on trust , just custody.

--

Eli Carter

Legal Affairs

 

[BasedOperative]

Fair enough.

This.

How so? What EU countries would you say are⁣ the more risky in this case? Based in Western Europe btw.

Makes sense. My thought︁ is that by showing that I just personally work for a foreign company I can︂ justify my conmection to it (ie: talking to clients using my name, just like a︃ sales person)

 

[BasedOperative]

I understand. In my case the‍ company would just be used to process payments. I would hold no assets at all.⁠ So in case of lawsuits against the nominee shareholder I wouldn’t lose anything and I’d⁤ just open up a new company.

Extremely interesting concept. I ‘ve never heard of it before. Would you⁢ mind explaining a bit more? Do they do KYC checks?

 

[JosephLL]

And where can this Marshall Islands company be banked?

 

[BasedOperative]

I guess you’d just use it as a holding company to own other banking frindly companies‌ such as US LLCs for EMIs/PSPs.

Pretty imposstible to bank bearer shares companies in 2025‍ apparently. Maybe in Switzerland/Lichteinstain but idk

 

[daniels27]

I think even‍ those companies would not get much interest from banks as they would want to know⁠ the UBO.

Switzerland? I don't think so.

 

[BasedOperative]

That’s info I was able‌ to find on this forum. Could be the case but DYOR.

 

[OVZA LLC]

Yes, definitely. For every company we register,including Marshall Islands bearer share companies,we︂ require notarized proof of identity and notarized proof of address from the beneficial owner. That’s︃ a non-negotiable compliance requirement.

That said, the Marshall Islands is considered KYC-light compared to places︄ like the BVI or Cayman. So usually, once those two notarized documents are submitted, you're︅ good to go. There's no need for detailed business plans or source of funds declarations︆ in most cases.

--

Eli Carter
Legal Affairs