For a long time reserved for traditional banking transfers, the citizenship and investment based residency is now adapting to new digital wealth. In 2025, several jurisdictions have fully or partially integrated Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and stablecoins into their migrating and residency programs. Here is an overview of destinations that allow applicants to finance a second passport or a golden visa using their crypto holdings.
Vanuatu: an express passport visa via crypto-compatible agents
- Program: Development Support Program (DSP)
- Cost: from $130 000 (single applicant)
- Processing time: 30 to 60 days
The State does not directly accept cryptocurrencies payments. However, certain licensed agents are authorized to receive BTC or USDT, convert them into US dollars, and then submit the application to Vanuatu authorities. This system allows remote applications through turnkey packages starting from $115 000.
Keys advantages
- No residency, language or service requirements
- Dual nationality permitted
- No income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax
- Visa-free access to 90 countries (excluding Schengen, currently under review)
- Families inclusion allowed, including spouse partner, children under 25 and parents over 50
Targeted profile: crypto entrepreneurs and digital nomads seeking a fast, discreet, and tax-efficient passport.
Dominica and Saint Lucia: a Caribbean option for Bitcoin holders
- Dominica: donation from $200 000
- Saint Lucia: donation ffrom $100 000 or real estate investment from $300 000
Although governments only accept fiat currency payment, several authorized agents, such as Apex Capital Partners, Citizenship Bay, accept crypto, handle conversion into fiat, and submit applications without requiring the applicant’s physical present.
Key advantages of these Caribbean programs
- Strong passports with access to the European Union, the United-Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and more
- Processing time: 4 to 9 months
- Families eligibility is broad, including spouses, children under 25, and parents
- Nor residency and no language test
- No worldwide income tax
A strict due diligence process and increased scrutiny are applied to certain requests from foreign authorities.
Moreover, since 1993, Dominica has operated the world’s oldest economic citizenship program, while Saint Lucia is considered a reference destination for crypto investors seeking a wealth diversification strategy.
Portugal: a still-coveted golden visa, but with a tighter crypto framework
- Program: Golden visa; residence by investment
- Entry threshold: €500,000 via CMVM-approved funds.
- Path to citizenship: 5 years, with a 10 years under consideration
Although the Portuguese government does not allow cryptocurrency payments for the Golden Visa, several blockchain-exposed investment funds enable investors to mobilize their digital assets, once converted in euros, to reach the entry requirement. For example, some offers such as “3 BTC = €500,000” have been specifically designed for high-net-worth crypto investors.
Tax shift
For a long time considered as a “Tax Heaven” for Web3 due to the absence of taxation on crypto, Portugal introduced in 2023 a 28% capital gain tax on cryptocurrencies, calculated under the FIFO method (first in, first out). Higher rates, raging from 14.5% to 53% may apply to income considered professionals (mining, trading activities, or block validation).
Key features of the program
- Minimal physical presence requirement: 7 days during the first year, then 14 days every two years.
- No Portguese language requirement to obtain residency
- Residence available for spouses, children, and in some cases, parents
- Living environment popular among expatriates, with a cost of living approximately 25% to 35% lower than in France
Applicants must also account for relatively high entry costs, significant administrative fees, and processing times that may exceed one year due to backlogs at the Agency for integration, Migration and Asylum application (AIMA).
El Salvador: the first “full Bitcoin” citizenship program
- Program: Freedom Visa (launched in 2023):
- Investment requirement: $1 million in BTC or USDT
- Cap: 1,000 investors per year
The entire process, from the initial $999 deposit to the full $999,001 investment balance, must be paid exclusively in cryptocurrency through the infrastructure deployed by Tether. The program grants immediate residency followed by an accelerated naturalization process that can reportedly be completed within a few months.
Key advantages
- No mandatory residency requirement
- Extended family members eligible
- Fully crypto based process with no conversion into US dollars
- Fast-track access to Salvadoran citizenship
- Targetet profile: investors attracted by Nayib Bukele pro Bitcoin strategy and seeking rapid integration into a leading crypto friendly nation.
United Arab Emirates: Dubai, the new hub for crypto investors
Over the past decade, Dubai has become a major strategic hub for crpyto investors, supported by strong political backing. With the launch of the Dubai Blockchain Strategy in 2016 and the creation of the Virtuel Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the United Arab Emirates established a legal framework to attract Web3-related wealth and businesses.
Cryptocurrencies are now increasingly integrated into the real estate sector, one of the pillars of the local economy. Major developers such as Nakheel Properties, Damac or Ellington officially accept payments in Bitcoin or Ethereum, sometimes through partners such as Bitcoin Suisse or CoinMENA. In 2024, approximatively 10% of real estate developers already accepted cryptocurrency payments, a figure excepted to triple over the medium-term.
Key attractiveness factors
- No capital gains tax or income tax
- Simplified transactions through blockchain platforms approved by the Dubai Land Department
- Real estate tokenization initiatives enabling fractional property ownership
- Fast-track residency for wealthy investors
Key figures
According to Chainalysis, crypto investors generated approximately $204 million in profits in the UAE in 2023, a figure that Statista estimates could reach $292 million by the end of 2024. The local ecosystem, known as Crypto Oasis, now includes more than 2,000 active Web3 companies, reinforcing the attractiveness of the Emirates for expatriates and crypto entrepreneurs.
With the proactive regulatory framework, favorable taxation, and ambition to become the “global capital of virtual assets”, Dubai appears to be the preferred destination for investors seeking to convert their crypto portfolios into real estate investments or secure strategic residency in the Middle East.
Comparative table
| Countries | Program type | Minimum investment | Direct crypto payment | Processing time | Main advantage |
| Vanuatu | Citizenship by investment (CBI) | From $100,000 | Via licensed agents | 1 to 2 months | Fully remote and ultra-fast processes |
| Dominica / Saint Lucia | Citizenship by investment (CBI) | From $200,000 to $300 000 | Via licensed agents | 4 to 9 months | Strong Passport and attractive tax environment |
| Portugal | Golden Visa Residency | €500,000 | Via approved investments funds | Approximatively 12 months | Gateway to the European Union through residency status |
| El Salvador | Citizenship program | $1,000,000 | Yes | Approximatively 6 weeks | Fully crypto native program using BTC or USDT |
| Univted Arab Emirates, Dubai | Investor residency | Real estate investment from approximatively $545,000 | Yes | Fast track options | Investor visa and crypto-based real estate payments accepted |
Things to know before getting started
Obtaining citizenship or residency through crypto-funded investment programs cannot be improvised. Behind the attractive image of a citizenship purchased with Bitcoin lie a strict, regulated, and sometimes lengthy process. Before starting an application, several realities should be considered:
Systematic KYC/AML checks
Most programs require applicants to prove the legal origin of their funds. For crypto holders, that often means providing proof of wallet ownership, transactions history, and sometimes, certificates issued by exchanges or blockchain compliance providers.
Trusted intermediaries are almost always required
Whether in Vanuatu, Portugal, or the Caribbean, crypto investors generally need to work with accredited immigration agents, law firms, or partner banks. These intermediaries receive digital assets, convert them into fiat currency, prepare the application, and communication with local authorities.
A rapidly evolving regulatory environment
Regulations are evolving quickly, particularly in the European Union and the Caribbean. A program available today may be suspended tomorrow, or face stricter requirements regarding amounts, residency duration, or naturalization conditions. Ongoing legal monitoring is therefore essential.
Tax guidance is indispensable
Converting cryptocurrencies into fiat currency for investment purposes may trigger taxable events. Depending on the applicant’s country of residence, these operations should be anticipated carefully in order to avoid unexpected tax consequences. For this reason, consulting international tax and crypto asset specialists is highly recommended.
Toward a new era of “digital citizenship”?
From Pacific to Europe, and also Central America, cryptocurrencies are challenging traditional approaches to citizenship and residency. A passport is no longer solely a symbol of birthplace or heritage; but it can now become part of a global digital wealth strategy. Under conditions, a well-funded cyrpto portfolio may open the door to new tax, diplomatic, or personal opportunities. This growing trend could fundamentally reshape the relationship between sovereignty and international mobility in the years ahead.
If you are interested in this topic, please discover our full analysis: “Algeria: why has the country turned away from crypto in 2025?” “https://coinaute.com/algerie-cryptomonnaies-bannissement/
