Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands Fund Services & Offshore Formation
Position your fund in the world’s premier offshore jurisdiction. Our Cayman Islands practice equips managers with turnkey solutions for Registered Mutual Funds, Private Funds, Exempted Limited Partnerships, SPCs and digital-asset vehicles—leveraging zero-tax efficiency, deep service-provider infrastructure and fast-track registration under the Mutual Funds Act 2025 and Private Funds Act. From structuring strategy memos to CIMA filings, director appointments and ongoing FAR, CRS/FATCA and AML compliance, we streamline the launch and lifecycle of Cayman funds so you can focus on performance and investor relations.
Why the Cayman Islands?
- World’s premier offshore fund domicile – 12,919 regulated mutual funds on record as of Q1 2025.
- Deep professional ecosystem – more than 600 regulated directors, 120+ administrators and all major prime brokers on‑island.
- Tax neutrality – no direct taxes on profits, income or capital gains.
- Modern statutes – Mutual Funds Act 2025 Revision, Private Funds Act and VASP amendments keep Cayman aligned with global standards.
Investor confidence – robust AML/CFT framework and OECD‑compliant economic‑substance rules.
Fund Vehicles at a Glance
Vehicle | Ideal For | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
Registered Mutual Fund | Open‑ended hedge funds | Exempted Company or LLC; minimum US$100k subscription (unless listed); CIMA registration within 21 days of launch. | |
Master Fund | Feeder‑master structures | Single investor feeders register; simplified filings. | |
Segregated Portfolio Company (SPC) | Umbrella platforms | Statutory asset‑liability ring‑fencing across portfolios. | |
Exempted Limited Partnership (ELP) | Private‑equity & VC | Contractual flexibility; no legal personality; governed by Partnership Act 2024. | |
Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Hybrid strategies | Corporate personality + partnership‑style capital accounts. | |
Private Fund (Closed‑Ended) | Debt, PE, real‑assets | Registration under Private Funds Act; annual valuation, safekeeping and cash‑monitoring controls. | |
Virtual Asset Fund | Crypto / DeFi | Additional licensing under VASP Act amendments effective 1 Apr 2025 |
Regulatory Framework
- Mutual Funds Act 2025 Revision – consolidated statute for open‑ended funds.
- Private Funds Act (2021 Revision) & 2023 Amendments – governs closed‑ended funds.
- Companies Act, LLC Act & Partnership Act 2024 – entity law.
- Virtual Asset (Service Providers) Act 2020 & 2024/2025 Amendments – licensing for digital‑asset service providers and funds.
- Anti‑Money Laundering Regulations & Guidance Notes 2023 – FATF‑aligned.
- Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) – single regulator; REEFS online portal for all filings.
Our Cayman Formation Services
Structuring Memo – comparison of Registered Mutual Fund vs. Private Fund vs. ELP/LLC master‑feeder.
Entity Formation – Exempted Company, LLC or ELP registration with same‑day name reservation.
Offering & Constitutional Documents – confidential memorandum, articles/LLC agreement/partnership agreement, subscription docs.
CIMA Registration & Regulatory Filings – Form MF1/PF1 submission, auditor consent, local director appointments.
Service‑Provider On‑Boarding – administrators, custodians, prime brokers, independent directors.
Economic‑Substance & Governance – board‑meeting logistics, local office, compliance manuals.
Ongoing Compliance – annual FAR, audit filing, CRS/FATCA, AML independent review, VASP reporting (if applicable).
Cost Transparency
Our Cayman fund‑formation packages begin at US $25,900 for a single‑class Registered Mutual Fund and include:
- Incorporation & government fees (year 1)
- Legal drafting & CIMA application fees
- Economic‑substance analysis report
- AML/CTF, FAR and CRS/FATCA policy templates
- Optional first‑year independent directorship (add‑on)
SPC, master‑feeder or digital‑asset structures are quoted individually.
Ready to launch in Cayman?
Book a 20‑minute strategy call and receive a personalised structuring roadmap.