BVI Finance has concluded the second edition of its flagship international digital finance summit, Fintech on the Seas following three days of packed sessions, landmark announcements and high-level engagement across Oil Nut Bay and Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island.
Held from 22nd to 24th June, the sold-out conference brought together global regulators, policymakers, fintech founders, digital asset businesses, investors, legal experts and industry leaders for one of the most distinctive gatherings in the digital finance calendar. From the opening sessions at Oil Nut Bay to the conversations at Necker Island, the atmosphere throughout the conference reflected a clear sense of momentum, urgency and optimism around the future of digital assets and the BVI’s role in that future.
The energy generated during the summit was reflected not only in the strength of the programme, but also in the reaction from delegates, speakers and attendees, many of whom publicly praised the calibre of the discussions, the quality of connections and the unique setting created by the British Virgin Islands. Attendees described the event as unusually engaging, impactful and memorable, with growing anticipation already building for Fintech on the Seas 2027.
The event opened with the Regulatory and Policy Summit at Oil Nut Bay, where the Minister responsible for Financial Services and Economic Development, Hon. Lorna Smith OBE, delivered keynote remarks. Sessions brought together senior regulators from the Wyoming Stablecoin Commission, the BVI Financial Services Commission, the Bermuda Monetary Authority and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas into direct conversation with industry leaders on the future of digital asset supervision, compliance, market access and public-private cooperation.
The opening day closed in true BVI style with a vibrant reception at Saba Rock, bringing delegates together in one of North Sound’s most iconic waterfront settings. The evening showcased the warmth, colour and cultural energy of the Virgin Islands, with live music by the Razor Blades, Moko Jumbie dancers, island-inspired hospitality, food, cocktails and conversation against the backdrop of the sea. More than a networking reception, it gave international guests an immediate sense of place and helped set the tone for the conference: sophisticated, energetic, deeply connected to the BVI and unlike any other digital assets gathering in the world. Day two moved to Necker Island, where Sir Richard Branson welcomed delegates and helped set the stage for a day shaped by ambition, innovation and global perspective.
BVI Finance launched the second ‘Destination Digital: An On-Chain Future’ report, establishing the BVI as a leading jurisdiction for digital assets. The report found that the BVI now accounts for more than 10% of the global market for tokenized US Treasuries, with US$1.5 billion of distributed value represented through BVI structures. It also revealed that the jurisdiction hosts US$1.2 billion in stablecoins, more than 28,000 stablecoin asset holders and 305 tokenized securities, the highest number of any jurisdiction.
The launch provided a powerful data-driven foundation for the conference, demonstrating that the BVI’s role in digital finance is not theoretical. It is already measurable, material and globally relevant.
Panels explored tokenization across real-world assets, culture, music and sports, the convergence of traditional and digital capital markets, tokenized funds, digital assets structuring, governance, investment products and the role of international finance centers in supporting cross-border digital finance. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley also addressed delegates during the program.
A landmark announcement came with confirmation that Payward, parent company of Kraken, had secured its Virtual Asset Service Provider registration from the BVI Financial Services Commission under the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act 2022. The registration adds one of the world’s largest digital asset platforms to the BVI’s regulated ecosystem and further reinforces the BVI’s reputation as a trusted jurisdiction for responsible digital asset businesses.
The programme also featured an exclusive seaside conversation with Jackson Hinkle of TheStreet Crypto alongside the Premier and Hon. Smith bringing a global media perspective to the discussions and highlighting the increasing international attention being paid to the BVI’s digital assets strategy.
The final day examined the road ahead, with sessions focused on AI-driven financial decision-making, RegTech as a driver of growth, decentralised finance and global settlement infrastructure. Across all three days, a consistent message emerged: digital assets and fintech are no longer being discussed as emerging alternatives to mainstream finance, but as part of the next chapter of financial services.
Beyond the main programme, BVI Finance and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College hosted BVI NextWave: Digital Assets Discovery Day on 25th June, a free public event at the HLSCC Robert Mathavious Institute in Tortola. Open to students, professionals and community members, the initiative ensured the insights generated at the summit reached beyond the conference and into the wider community. Featured speakers included Ashley Wright, a digital assets strategist specialising in blockchain and AI; Kingsley Advani, Chairman of Advani Family Office and CEO of Allocations; and Mark Mariampillai, founder of Tokuti and a specialist in the tokenization of real-world assets. The highly interactive session gave attendees a practical introduction to digital assets, cryptocurrency, blockchain, investing principles and the tokenization of real-world assets.
Honourable Lorna Smith OBE TEP FCG, Minister responsible for Financial Services and Economic Development, said: “Fintech on the Seas 2026 was an outstanding success and a powerful demonstration of what the BVI can achieve when Government, regulators, industry and global innovators come together with purpose. I want to thank BVI Finance and the entire team for the exceptional work that went into delivering an event that not only met expectations but exceeded them.
“The conference has firmly established itself as the BVI’s flagship fintech event, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration while reinforcing the Territory’s position as a leading international financial centre and a serious jurisdiction for the future of digital finance.”
Elise Donovan, CEO of BVI Finance, said: “This year’s Fintech on the Seas had a remarkable energy. From the first session to the final conversation, there was a real sense that the BVI is not simply participating in the global digital assets conversation but helping to shape it.
“What made the conference so powerful was the mix of people in the room. Regulators, innovators, investors, legal experts, digital asset businesses and policymakers were not speaking past each other. They were engaging directly and honestly about what it takes to build trusted, scalable and responsible digital finance.
“The launch of Destination Digital: An On-Chain Future, together with Payward’s VASP registration, gave the conference a strong sense of proof and momentum. The BVI now has data, the regulatory
framework, professional ecosystem and global relationships to support its position as a serious jurisdiction for digital assets. The response from attendees has been incredible, and it is clear that Fintech on the Seas has become much more than a conference. It is becoming an important platform for shaping the future of finance.”
BVI Finance extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors and partners whose support made this year’s conference possible:
Conference Patron – Government of the Virgin Islands
Title Sponsor – DLT Solutions
Strategic Partner – LTP
Gold Sponsors – AON, BVI Financial Services Commission, Exness, EY, Harneys, Maples Group
Island Protocol Lunch Sponsor – Mourant
Silver Sponsors – Appleby, KPMG, VerifyVASP
Bronze Sponsors – Baker & Partners, Baton Corporation, Bitwave, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Inca Digital, Leeward, Loeb Smith, Ogier, Sphere Labs, Walkers
Supporting Sponsors – Ascentium, Conyers, JTC Group, O’Neal Webster, Somasi Corporate Services
Friends of Fintech on the Seas – DR Asset Planning, OCR
Ecosystem Partners – Allocations, Blockchain Futurist Conference, BVI Association of Compliance Officers and Practitioners, BVI International Arbitration Centre, Tokuti
Special thanks to VerifyVASP, Baker & Partners, Inca Digital and Walkers for sponsoring our Regulatory & Policy Summit.
For further information on the event, visit https://fintechontheseas.com
Click here to view the report.
About BVI Finance
BVI Finance is responsible for protecting and promoting the British Virgin Islands’ financial services industry. The BVI is recognised as a leading international business and finance centre, offering a robust legal framework, a stable and business-friendly environment, and a strong reputation for regulatory compliance.
With strategic expertise across wealth management, corporate services, trusts, fund administration, and digital assets, the BVI continues to attract global businesses, investors, and financial professionals who use its products and services.
For further information, please contact: Shamahl A. Smith | Communications and Research Officer | ssmith@bvifinance.vg | Tel: 284-852-1957
For international media enquiries, please contact: MHP Group | bvifinance@mhpgroup.com