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| HNWIs in 2025 use strategic legal structures to hold invisible assets beyond global reporting systems like CRS and FATCA. |
In 2025, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are investing in asset classes that avoid FATCA, CRS, and even AI-based cross-border data tracing. These aren’t cryptocurrencies or offshore bank accounts—but rather legally engineered structures that remain under the radar.
Top examples include:
- Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) — A tax-neutral, reporting-exempt wrapper combining life coverage with asset holding power.
- Non-reportable Art Trusts — Structuring fine art in offshore trusts outside financial institution disclosure obligations.
- Captive Insurance Entities — Recognized under domestic law yet invisible under global asset registries.
These structures are further anonymized when paired with a U.S. LLC via doola, or deployed under domestic irrevocable trusts—ensuring full asset protection with no automatic exchange of information.
Explore the strategies we covered in our posts on offshore diversification or HNWI private banking setups.
Why They Remain Invisible
These assets typically fall into one of three categories:
- Held outside financial institutions
- Legally classified as non-reportable (e.g., artwork, gold, trusts)
- Owned by layered structures like foreign foundations + LLCs
To layer effectively, some use StartGlobal for U.S. entity registration and Northwest Registered Agent for nominee services that disconnect ownership visibility.
Invisible ≠ Illegal
Every asset class and structure mentioned can be fully compliant. The distinction lies in how you structure and disclose. Our article on offshore holding strategies shows how legality and invisibility often align.
💡 Want to build your invisible portfolio? Start by reviewing your exposure points—and restructure with intent.