The Bitcoin Passport Index (BPI) launched by 21 CBI is the first global passport ranking that evaluates jurisdictions through a “Bitcoiner” lens, weighting both traditional passport quality and cryptocurrency‑specific factors.
How the index is built
- Scope: 87 jurisdictions are scored across six categories, with a total weight of 45 % on Bitcoin‑related criteria and 55 % on conventional passport attributes.
- Categories & weights
- Bitcoin and crypto tax policy – 25 %
- Bitcoin legal and regulatory status – 20 %
- Visa‑free travel – 20 %
- Residence and citizenship pathways – 15 %
- Dual citizenship – 10 %
- Personal and economic freedom – 10 %
- Scoring: Each category is scored 0‑100, then weighted, passed through floor gates, a balance multiplier, and a top‑10 pathway requirement. The rubric is published, and two researchers applying it to the same country should differ by no more than five points.
- Unranked jurisdictions: Thirteen additional countries are listed separately with documented methodological reasons for exclusion.
Top rankings (inaugural release)
| Rank | Country | Score | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Salvador | 84.45 | National Bitcoin framework, state Bitcoin treasury, 0 % capital‑gains tax (including for foreign investors), 0 % corporate tax for CNAD‑licensed Bitcoin service providers, territorial tax base, no OECD Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) commitment, CBI program that accepts BTC and USDT natively. |
| 2 | Malta | 80.50 | EU mobility, comprehensive crypto regime transitioning to MiCA. |
| 3 | Switzerland | 78.80 | Crypto Valley (Zug), FINMA‑licensed infrastructure, canton accepting Bitcoin for tax payments. |
Illustrative contrasts
- United States – ranks #55 with a tax score of 15/100 due to worldwide citizenship‑based taxation (≈ 40.8 % on short‑term Bitcoin gains).
- Italy – sits at #29 after raising Bitcoin capital‑gains tax from 26 % to 33 % in January 2026 and tightening its non‑dom regime.
- Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, BVI – score 90‑95 on Bitcoin tax policy but lack direct citizenship pathways, resulting in mid‑to‑low 60s scores; BVI ends at 52.90.
These examples show that favorable tax treatment alone does not translate into a high BPI score without accompanying legal residency or citizenship options.
Strategic insight
The BPI suggests a “barbell” approach: combine a top‑tier passport for mobility and institutional access with a Bitcoin‑native citizenship for tax and legal alignment, while maintaining tax residency in the country where one actually lives.
Time‑sensitive factor – CARF rollout
- CARF (OECD Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework) will begin automatic exchange in 2027 for Wave 1 jurisdictions, 2028 for Wave 2, and 2029 for the United States.
- Countries that have not committed (e.g., Argentina, El Salvador, Georgia) retain a structural information‑privacy advantage; self‑custodied Bitcoin held outside reporting platforms remains outside CARF’s scope.
Flagship citizenship‑by‑investment program: Vanuatu
- Processing time: 30–60 days from submission to passport.
- Cost: $130,000 government contribution for a single applicant; 5 % advisory fee ($6,500) payable in USD or BTC.
- Tax profile: Zero income, capital‑gains, and inheritance taxes.
- Visa‑free access: 87 destinations, positioning Vanuatu as an Asia‑Pacific gateway.
- Due diligence: Three independent screenings (VFIU financial intelligence, Interpol NCB, Vanuatu Citizenship Commission) plus a $5,000 FIU fee and mandatory biometric capture at one of four enrollment centers (Dubai, Hong Kong, New Caledonia, Port Vila).
- Alternative pathway: Capital Investment Immigration Plan (introduced 2023) – $110,000 government contribution plus a $50,000 redeemable Cocoa Sustainable Fund component, lowering net cost for families.
The program is presented with transparent fee breakdowns by family size, allowing prospective applicants to see total costs before engagement.
21 CBI’s advisory model for Bitcoiners
- Crypto‑first settlement: Payments accepted in BTC, Lightning, and USDT on self‑hosted infrastructure; no fiat conversion imposed on clients.
- Structure: Division of Bitcitizen LLC; licensed agent of the Bitcoin Office of El Salvador, authorized to process Freedom Passport applications.
- Leadership: Adam Juchniewicz, CEO – former US Air Force veteran, former US Department of Homeland Security immigration policy official, LL.M. in European and Comparative Law (University of Malta), Bitcoin holder since 2020.
Tools and transparency on the 21 CBI website
- Full fee disclosure for all programs.
- Live Cost Calculator (USD and BTC).
- Passport Program Quiz (60‑second match).
- Compare Programs tool for side‑by‑side analysis.
- US Exit Tool modeling costs of US citizenship renunciation.
- Program pages include source citations and verification dates for every numeric claim.
The Bitcoin Passport Index, together with 21 CBI’s suite of tools, provides Bitcoin holders with a data‑driven framework for aligning citizenship, tax, and regulatory considerations. The index and related resources are publicly accessible at bpi.21cbi.io.
Source article: www.imidaily.com
