Company Formation for Crypto & DeFi Founders
Ship your protocol. We'll handle the legal wrapper.
Every serious token project hits the same wall: who legally owns the protocol, and where does the token get issued? A BVI company is the fast, respected default for issuance. A Cayman or Panama foundation gives a DAO an ownerless governance layer. VASP or MiCA licensing applies the moment you touch customer crypto. OnScale builds the whole entity stack - company, foundation, token docs - at one fixed price.
The two-entity stack most protocols need
A protocol usually can't live in a single company. The standard pattern separates development from issuance: a development company holds the team and contracts, while a separate token-issuing entity (commonly a BVI company or Cayman foundation) signs SAFTs and distributes the token. Getting this split right at setup keeps token liabilities away from your operating business and gives investors a clean counterparty. The wrong turn - issuing the token from your dev company, or making the foundation the shareholder of the devco - is expensive to unwind later.
Recommended structures
BVI company
The crypto founder default - incorporates in 2-3 days, zero local tax, and no license requirement for a one-time token issuance. Respected by exchanges and law firms.
Cayman or Panama Foundation
For DAOs and institutional-grade projects: a memberless, founderless vehicle governed by token holders, with the core team shielded from personal liability. Cayman for recognition, Panama for the civil-law, lower-cost alternative.
Estonia or Malta for VASP licensing
EU-facing crypto that touches customer funds needs authorisation - a MiCA CASP license for exchange, custody, or brokerage across all 27 member states.
Token legal docs
SAFTs, token classification memos, and tokenomics support so your raise and your token generation event tell one consistent story to investors and exchanges.
Jurisdictions we recommend
Key terms
Frequently asked questions
Which jurisdiction is best for issuing a token?
The BVI is the default for most projects - fast, cost-effective, and accepted by exchanges and law firms, with no license for a one-time issuance. Cayman foundation companies suit projects wanting an ownerless issuer for decentralisation. The right answer depends on your investor base and whether the token risks security classification.
Do I need a license to launch a token?
A one-time token issuance from a BVI or Cayman entity generally needs no license. But if you exchange, custody, or transfer customer crypto on an ongoing basis, you are a VASP and need authorisation - a MiCA CASP license for the EU, or the local equivalent. The activity, not the token, decides.
Can my development company issue the token directly?
Technically yes, practically inadvisable. Mixing token liabilities with the operating business complicates equity fundraising, exposes the company to token-holder claims, and fails exchange due-diligence expectations. A dedicated issuing entity is the market standard.
Not sure which setup fits?
Answer a few questions and OnScale matches you to the right entity and license - one fixed price, one point of contact.