Nevis vs Cook Islands
Both are serious asset-protection tools. The Nevis LLC gives you a charging-order moat at a sane cost and you stay in control. The Cook Islands trust is the high-net-worth gold standard, but it is a trust held by an independent trustee, and we refer it rather than commoditize it.
Nevis vs Cook Islands: which should you pick?
Nevis LLC is the default pick for most. Pick Nevis LLC if you want a genuinely strong asset-protection structure without high-net-worth pricing; pick Cook Islands Trust if your net worth and risk profile justify the gold standard.
- Nevis LLC
- $1,799 all-in. The charging-order moat.
- Cook Islands Trust
- Referral, HNW. The gold standard.
| Our pickNevis LLC $1,799 all-in The charging-order moat | Cook Islands Trust Referral, HNW The gold standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Operators wanting strong protection at a sane cost | High-net-worth, maximum-protection mandates |
| Structure | LLC (you are the manager) | Trust (independent trustee holds assets) |
| Protection mechanism | Charging-order-exclusive remedy | Settlor-protective trust; non-recognition of foreign judgments |
| Foreign judgment enforcement | Local Nevis proceedings required | Not recognized; creditor must re-litigate in the Cook Islands |
| Who controls it | You, as member and manager | Trustee, with your protector controls |
| Typical cost | $1,799 all-in | Five figures, via a tier-1 trustee |
| Onboarding | Tier 1 KYC, self-serve | Referral, bespoke underwriting |
| Pay in BTC / USDT | Yes | Arrange via referral |
- Best for
- Operators wanting strong protection at a sane cost
- Structure
- LLC (you are the manager)
- Protection mechanism
- Charging-order-exclusive remedy
- Foreign judgment enforcement
- Local Nevis proceedings required
- Who controls it
- You, as member and manager
- Typical cost
- $1,799 all-in
- Onboarding
- Tier 1 KYC, self-serve
- Pay in BTC / USDT
- Yes
- Best for
- High-net-worth, maximum-protection mandates
- Structure
- Trust (independent trustee holds assets)
- Protection mechanism
- Settlor-protective trust; non-recognition of foreign judgments
- Foreign judgment enforcement
- Not recognized; creditor must re-litigate in the Cook Islands
- Who controls it
- Trustee, with your protector controls
- Typical cost
- Five figures, via a tier-1 trustee
- Onboarding
- Referral, bespoke underwriting
- Pay in BTC / USDT
- Arrange via referral
Which one is yours?
Choose Nevis if
You want a genuinely strong asset-protection structure without high-net-worth pricing. The charging-order-exclusive remedy and the requirement that creditors litigate in Nevis make it a real moat for most operators, and you stay in control as the manager.
Choose the Cook Islands if
Your net worth and risk profile justify the gold standard. The Cook Islands trust is the most battle-tested protective structure in the world, but it is a trust (an independent trustee holds the assets) sized for high-net-worth clients. We refer these to a tier-1 trustee rather than sell a commodity version.
Common questions
- Is a Nevis LLC as strong as a Cook Islands trust?
- Close for most purposes, at a fraction of the cost. The Cook Islands trust has more case-law depth and the trust structure adds a layer (an independent trustee), which is exactly why high-net-worth clients use it. For a sub-HNW operator, the Nevis LLC's charging-order moat is usually the right tool.
- Why is the Cook Islands referral-only?
- Because doing it properly requires a tier-1 trustee and bespoke underwriting, not a checkout flow. Selling a commodity Cook Islands trust would be dishonest, so we refer you to a real trustee.
- Does either erase my tax obligations?
- No. Asset protection is not tax avoidance. Both structures are reportable, and your personal tax depends on your residence. These protect assets from civil creditors; they do not change what you owe.