Corporate clients
Structures for businesses that trade across borders.
We advise founders, operating companies and fund managers on company formation, corporate structure, banking, licensing and compliance, in 60+ jurisdictions.
The practice
Several services, run as one matter
Most corporate matters combine two or three services: a company, a bank account and a licence, or a holding structure and the compliance that keeps it in good standing. We run them as one matter, with one senior adviser in charge.
Services are provided by HPT Group Limited, Hong Kong, and, where stated, by licensed third-party providers.
Services
What we do for corporate clients
Each service can be engaged on its own. Timelines are typical and depend on the banks, registries and regulators involved.
Companies and structures
Operating and holding companies, real estate vehicles and registrations, with banking and reporting considered before anything is formed.
- Company formationOnshore and offshore companies in the BVI, Cayman, the UAE, Singapore, the UK, Delaware and other jurisdictions, with substance documented and banking considered before formation.Typically 2 to 6+ weeksTypically 2 to 6+ weeks
- Trusts and foundationsDiscretionary, fixed-interest, purpose, and reserved-power trusts. Panama and Nevis foundations.Typically 3 to 8+ weeksTypically 3 to 8+ weeks
- Real estate structuringReal estate held through vehicles that lenders, registries and tax authorities accept.Typically 4 to 8+ weeksTypically 4 to 8+ weeks
- Yacht and aircraft registrationFlag, register and structure ownership of yachts and private aircraft.Typically 4 to 10+ weeksTypically 4 to 10+ weeks
- Corporate structuringStrategic design of multi-jurisdictional holding groups, IP holding structures, joint venture vehicles and group reorganisations, onshore and offshore.Typically 4 to 10+ weeksTypically 4 to 10+ weeks
Banking and payments
Introductions to banks, payment providers and licensed digital asset providers, including for sectors banks treat as higher risk, prepared so that their questions are answered in the file.
- International bankingIntroductions to 45+ private and corporate banks across the UK, EU, GCC, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and the US.Typically 3 to 10+ weeksTypically 3 to 10+ weeks
- Corporate payment cardsMulti-currency corporate cards and prepaid cards for global operations.Typically 1 to 3+ weeksTypically 1 to 3+ weeks
- Private banking introductionsWarm introductions to tier-one private banks for HNW individuals, families and the operating companies they own. Singapore, Hong Kong, Monaco, Switzerland, London, Liechtenstein, Panama and Andorra.Typically 4 to 10+ weeksTypically 4 to 10+ weeks
- Digital asset on-ramp and off-rampIntroductions to licensed exchanges, OTC desks and payment providers for moving between fiat currency and digital assets, with the source-of-funds file prepared before the introduction.
- Payment and e-money introductionsIntroductions to electronic money institutions, payment processors, card issuers and foreign exchange providers suited to your business model, currencies and markets.
- Banking for higher-risk sectorsCorporate account and payment introductions for lawful, licensed businesses in sectors that banks treat as higher risk, such as iGaming, digital assets and cross-border payments. Subject to enhanced due diligence.
Private and hedge funds
Fund and manager set-up, licensing, compliance and introductions to administrators, auditors, custodians and banks.
Regulated licensing
Fintech and iGaming licence applications, from the choice of regulator to the compliance programme that follows the licence.
- Fintech licensingEMI, PSP, VASP, MSB and crypto licence applications, prepared to each regulator's requirements.Typically 6 to 18+ monthsTypically 6 to 18+ months
- iGaming licensingB2C casino, sportsbook, poker, lottery and B2B platform / supplier iGaming licences. Available in MGA, Curaçao, Isle of Man, Anjouan, Gibraltar and more.Typically 3 to 9+ monthsTypically 3 to 9+ months
Fiduciary and compliance
Independent directors, AML, KYC and CDD programmes, and economic substance for entities that already exist.
- Fiduciary and compliance coordinationIndependent directors, AML programme design, economic substance and middle-office coordination for offshore structures, delivered through licensed counterparties.Live within 2 weeksLive within 2 weeks
- MLRO and AML complianceAn MLRO or compliance officer for your firm, provided or introduced, with the AML framework, policies, risk assessment and training a regulator expects.
Transactions and digital assets
Structuring ahead of a sale or investment round, and matters involving crypto and other digital assets.
- Deal and exit structuringPre-sale planning for founders and shareholders ahead of a sale or other liquidity event.Typically 6 to 16+ weeksTypically 6 to 16+ weeks
- Crypto and digital asset structuringHold and transact crypto through licensed VASPs, foundations and DAO-LLC hybrids.Typically 3 to 8+ weeksTypically 3 to 8+ weeks
How we engage
Four stages, one at a time
You can stop after any stage.
- 1
Apply
A short application tells us who you are, what you need and where.
- 2
Diagnose
Working sessions with your senior adviser to test assumptions and agree the question to answer.
- 3
Blueprint
The structure, the reasons for it and the costs, set out in a memorandum.
- 4
Implement
We form the entities, prepare the bank applications and stay on for compliance.
Who we work with
Corporate clients we advise
Notes on the questions each group of clients tends to bring to us, and the services they use most.
Questions
Common questions from corporate clients
Can you arrange banking for the structure?
How do you choose the jurisdiction?
What about controlled foreign company rules and home-country tax?
Do you handle ongoing accounting and compliance?
We do not give legal or tax advice in jurisdictions where we are not qualified to do so; where needed, we coordinate local counsel and tax advisers.
Fees agreed in writing before work begins. Where a bank or provider pays us for an introduction, we tell you before the introduction is made.
See also what we will not do and prohibited and restricted matters.
Next step
Tell us about your structure.
A short application tells us what you have and what you need. We aim to reply within 48 hours. If the existing structure already does what it should, we will say so.