Offshore Company, Banking & Cryptocurrency

While not new at all, the AML5 – a directive for anti-money laundering operations – is a challenge for many financial institutions and businesses. Many of these institutions are not even fully aware of it or what it actually implies. Before even getting fully implemented by everyone, a new directive came out – AML6. The tax reporting standard AML5 and now AML6 may have serious consequences for those who fail to bring it in properly. The legislation was introduced in the summer of 2018. Every country in the European Union had to introduce it into the national legislation by the beginning of 2020. Many organizations have managed to become compliant, but then, many are not fully prepared for these standards yet – mostly because they...

If you have ever opened a bank account, you probably know already it takes time, and it requires lots of paperwork. In some countries, you will need to set an appointment, bring bills, proof of address, and so on. Then, you need to wait for approval before getting two separate letters – one with the actual card and another one with the pin code. If you think this is daunting, imagine doing it in a completely different country – you cannot speak the language, and you have no idea what documents to bring in. To keep it simple, this is what an offshore business is like. In theory, it is perfectly legal for a foreigner to open an account in a different country – some countries actually encourage foreigners to come over for investments...

New to investments? You probably have no idea where to begin or what to do next, but there is nothing to be worried about. While you can take the time to educate yourself and perhaps learn the hard way - with a bunch of financial failures on the way, an investment broker could be an excellent choice. The broker will practically connect you to the market. Investment brokers which accept international customers will serve as a bridge between buyers and sellers. They enhance the stock market and allow their customers to purchase bonds, stocks or various securities. Understanding the concept of investment brokers The investment broker could be an actual person (self-employed professional) or a company. They will conduct transactions for...

So, you want to send some money without anyone else knowing, right? It makes no difference why and no one really cares. Perhaps you are trying to buy an engagement ring for the love of your life. You want to hide the transaction from the statement, especially if you have a joint bank account that both of you can access. Maybe you want to buy some upgrades for your car or perhaps some new tools. You do not want your partner to know about it because you know they will always tell you that there are other priorities. How about a game upgrade? How about a console? There are so many things that you may need to hide that you barely know what to buy first. Then, keeping anonymous is not just about hiding payments from close family members...

It makes no difference what kind of investment you are trying to make. It also makes no difference what kind of broker you deal with. Unless you pick an unknown name from a third-world country that most people cannot even locate on the map, chances are you will be asked for the country that you are a tax resident in. You will also be asked for the corresponding tax identification number, which may come under different technical names. What is the catch then? What is the point of such information and what do you do if you travel a lot or deal with an offshore industry? Here is everything you need to know at a glance. Understanding the common reporting standard The common reporting standard – CRS – was introduced in 2014 and was...

The Panama Papers represent over 11 million documents that were leaked in the spring of 2016. The documents provided access to a series of financial documents – more than 200,000 offshore businesses and individuals, including attorney-client conversations and details as well. Some of the documents were recent, but others dated back to the 1970s. The papers were stolen and leaked from Mossack Fonseca – an offshore law company based in Panama. Documents were associated with both low-profile companies and large corporations – including wealthy individuals known all over the world. Most of the data were kept private until these papers came out. Various governments took action based on these leaks – for instance, Jan Marsalek was...

Different OffshoreCorpTalk forum users stick to different online payment platforms – whatever works for them. Then, different platforms come with different terms and conditions. One thread in particular has caught our attention due to the wide discrepancies in opinions and facts. Regarding the versatile payment platform Stripe, more and more people fail to understand the terms and conditions associated with it, facing all kinds of issues. Here are a few things you should know before turning to Stripe. Business identification requirements This is probably the most important requirement from Stripe. The business ownership verification is applied to business owners only. The physical location will be verified – make sure you can get...

We do not really have to mention it again… The Mentor Group Gold section of our forum brings in access to exclusive providers, regardless of what you may need for your offshore business – be it a bank account in Switzerland, a new company in Dubai or accounting solutions to reduce the tax. Moreover, there are forum threads that simply cannot go in the public forums. Exclusive interviews Exclusive interviews with the people behind these services will also help you find out more about one thing or another. Discover the human side of the business and have your questions answered. Still not convinced? The latest addition to the Mentor Group Gold section brings up an explosive piece of content that will tell you everything you need to know...

The cryptocurrency market has exploded over the past years. The speed of this market is incredibly high, making the less experienced struggling to keep up with it. There are over 5,000 different types of cryptocurrencies out there, while the overall market capitalization exceeds $200B. Market research estimates this industry will grow even further – up to 25% per year. Now, when it comes to crypto payment gateways, your options may not be as diversified, but it is still difficult to make a decision. You do have options out there. However, you have to avoid diving in without any research at all. Indeed, more and more merchants accept digital coin payments these days, but different solutions are suitable for different businesses...

When it comes to traditional banks, all you can imagine is clean and posh buildings, as well as good-looking people dressed in suits and elegant dresses. Then, things may often go wrong – lots of paperwork to do anything, as well as ATMs giving you all sorts of errors. However, a new wave of banks aims to change all these things. The so-called fintech – financial technology – startups tend to change the way people bank. Also known as neobanks, these financial institutions tend to overcome all the stereotypes in the banking industry. Most importantly, they operate in a digital manner. They offer low fees, better experiences and a seamless online venture. Now, before digging into deeper details and providing some names regarding the...

EMIs – Electronic Money Institutions – are naturally part of the game when you deal with offshore applications, online work or you simply want to diversify your portfolio a little. There already are a few handy guides regarding the most trustworthy EMIs on the OffshoreCorpTalk forum. If you missed them, here are a few details about what to expect before actually digging into deeper details. A brief introduction regarding EMIs will put you on track and allow you to understand how it works – most people already know that. The point of this article is to identify the potential maximum limits you can have in transactions. To keep it simple, imagine the necessity to transfer $25,000 or maybe $50,000 in one go. Could you do that with an...

Nearly four years after it was launched, Coinbase commerce – the merchant app from Coinbase – is running at full stream these days, hitting milestone after milestone, and seeing an uptick in volume since the 2018 launch. People really seem to be buying products and services on the web in crypto, and most of these transactions are happening on the Coinbase ecosystem. Coinbase has been expanding at a pace like never seen before. The exchange has grabbed the attention of investors, who pay a bit more for added transparency, security, and above everything else, safety. Coinbase is considered a safe bet across the cryptosphere. As the market continues to provide healthy alternatives to fiat currencies, Coinbase commerce was launched to...

If there is one constant in the vast, ongoing, cryptocurrency exchange war, it’s this fact: Kraken is a big dog. Despite fierce competition from feature-rich Coinbase and Binance, Kraken remains a force to be reckoned with due to its large crypto asset catalog, numerous other attractive features, and global reach. For these reasons and more, Kraken remains a top-rated, overall trader choice winner for cryptocurrency trading, along with Coinbase and Binance. Whether you want to invest in the crypto long term, trade crypto assets in the shorter term, or you just want to make a cost-effective cross-border transfer, Kraken is the exchange to rock out to. Cryptocurrency exchanges used to be largely defined by the coin listed. Nowadays...

In 2008, Latvia was hit by a deep recession worse than other countries in the European Union. Proportionally, since it was not among Europe’s most developed countries, it was not that bad. Over the next five years, Latvia's GDP grew by about 5% on a yearly basis. In no time, Latvia became one of the fastest-growing economies within the union. The trend has not changed though. While the country was hit by a few other issues – such as the closure of its largest company in the metal field, its growth surprised analysts. For the seasoned offshore entrepreneur, the secret is pretty obvious. Latvia has figured out what truly works when it comes to growing, attracting international investments and getting people to spend their money there...

As you deal with Bitcoin and make one transaction after another, there is a point when you realize that anonymity is not always there. You have done your homework and you have assessed the benefits of digital coins – cryptocurrencies are meant to be anonymous. Indeed, they will not necessarily link to your actual identity. But then, there are other small details that can reveal your actual identity. The address of your Bitcoin, for example, is public. Your history of transactions can also be discovered. If you are not careful, they can be put together and may reveal your real life identity. Discovering who you truly are is not of great interest, unless you deal with high amounts of money. Most people would try to conduct transactions...

Everything You Should Know About Getting an Offshore Bank Account Across the World There are so many misconceptions about having an offshore bank account that you barely know what to believe. If you are new to this industry, chances are you associate offshore activities with the numerous scandals involving celebrities over the past years. Some may see offshore accounts for savvy businesses, while others find them more suitable for shady accountants. The truth is you do not have to be a millionaire to open an offshore bank account. You do not need to run a particular business or operate in a specific field. A bit of research, finding the right bank and the right documents can give you access to private banking in another country within...