What has enabled Jersey to build and maintain its reputation as a stable and well-governed international finance center?
As a Crown Dependency, we share strong cultural and economic links with Britain and mainland Europe, which is just 14 miles away, but we have our own government and determine our own laws and taxes. That has given us the political stability and tax neutrality to provide certainty and continuity for long-term financial planning.
We have a robust regulatory framework. Jersey is known for its strong, independent regulatory body, the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), which enforces high standards aligned with international best practices.
Our decades of growth in financial services have enabled our legal, accounting, and investment professionals to flourish, and given them international experience, particularly in private wealth, funds, banking, and corporate finance.
How is Jersey working to strengthen its economic and cultural ties with the United States?
Our ties with the US, and particularly with New Jersey, date back to the 17th Century, and they are ties we continue to cherish. In May 2025 the Mayor of Trenton, NJ visited Jersey to celebrate the 80th anniversary of our Liberation from occupying Nazi forces in the Second World War.
My fellow Ministers visit the US regularly to engage with government counterparts and to attend the global meetings of the IMF / World Bank Group. And Jersey Finance, our award-winning industry promotional body is present year-round in the US
In financial services, we are seeing significant growth as US fund managers and family offices utilize Jersey structures. Jersey's regulatory approach aligns with US and international standards, providing a bridge for transatlantic capital flows, and we are working to enhance dialogue on fintech regulation, tax cooperation, and digital policy.
Educationally, Jersey has established a valuable academic partnership through Princeton University's International Internship Program (IIP), enabling talented US students to spend time working in Jersey in fields such as finance, law, and sustainable development, and we’re keen to establish educational links with more organisations in the US.
What specific opportunities for collaboration exist between Jersey and the U.S. in the areas of finance, innovation, and policy?
Jersey hosts subsidiary or branch business for a number of US financial services companies and we aim to grow this through our engagement stateside, notably through the work of Jersey Finance.
More widely, the Government of Jersey is working with US technology businesses like Microsoft to embrace innovation in the future delivery of public services. Digital Jersey, our catalyst for the local tech sector, has an agreement with the New Jersey Big Data Alliance that formalizes areas of collaboration.
What steps is Jersey taking to diversify its economy beyond financial services?
We are investing in our traditional business sectors of tourism, agriculture, and marine industries to enable them to adapt and flourish in the global economic landscape. We encourage and support new inward investment into the Island, and business owners from a diverse range of sectors are attracted to the combination of Jersey’s work-life balance and fantastic business infrastructure.
Financial services represent 40% of our economic output and 22% of overall employment. We’re looking at extending our areas of specialism into complementary areas: we’re seeing new opportunities being created through the convergence of financial services and technology, and we are looking at the control and sharing of data and considering how our legal and regulatory environment could effectively host data trusts – where the asset is data rather than real estate or equities.
How is the government supporting the growth of fintech and digital assets in Jersey?
Jersey has a strong digital and fintech focus, and we are growing the number of fintech and virtual asset service providers using Jersey as their base and encouraging investment in new technology through tax incentives and promotional initiatives. We’re evolving our legal and regulatory environment to support this growth whilst remaining mindful of our reputation for responsible and proportionate regulation. The recent publication of regulatory guidance on tokenisation is an example of how we embrace opportunity responsibly.
Jersey’s regulatory framework is flexible and principles-based, so it can adapt quickly to new technologies and business models, and we have developed regulatory technology (RegTech) solutions and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) without overly prescriptive legislation.
We recognise the importance of RegTech for maintaining Jersey’s competitiveness as an international finance centre, and we have introduced a tax super-deduction where eligible companies can deduct 150% of qualifying expenditures related to the purchase and implementation of RegTech in the year of acquisition.
Jersey is building a vibrant digital ecosystem by helping startups to access funding, and promoting innovation hubs and testbeds for fintech development. In terms of security, Jersey’s data protection laws meet UK and EU standards, providing strong privacy rights and legal certainty for fintech firms. We’re working on a central authority to monitor, prevent and respond to cyber threats.
What investments are being made to ensure Jersey has a secure and advanced digital infrastructure?
Jersey has a world-leading fibre-optic broadband network. We have been ranked first globally for our broadband speed, and every single business and household in Jersey is connected to a fibre network, with 1GB per second broadband.
The transition to 5G networks is well advanced and will ensure we retain a leading position for digital connectivity.
What role does Jersey play in global sustainable finance, and how is it advancing its net-zero goals?
Jersey is committed to reducing domestic emissions to net zero by 2050, but as a geographically small jurisdiction, we recognise that the biggest impact we can have on global climate change is through our finance sector, and we have launched a Sustainable Finance Action Plan to expand Jersey’s role in the deployment of sustainable capital around the world.
We estimate that more than £70bn within our funds industry is already invested in funds that include positive outcomes for communities and their surroundings in their objectives.
How is Jersey expanding its international presence through diplomacy, trade missions, and strategic partnerships?
Diplomatically, our connections to the UK and Europe are already strong, and our global relations strategy is to establish Jersey as a more influential international partner by enhancing diplomatic connections and economic ties with key international counterparts, including the US, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
We participate in international discussions on standards-setting, including those by the OECD, FATF, IMF, and World Bank, enhancing Jersey’s visibility as well as enabling us to help shape global financial governance standards.
Beyond government, Jersey Finance has offices in New York, Dubai, Singapore, and Johannesburg which promote our financial services industry.
How does Jersey’s regulatory approach support innovation while maintaining strong oversight?
In 2024, MONEYVAL’s assessment of Jersey’s ability to combat financial crime concluded that our effectiveness was among the highest level found among any jurisdiction evaluated around the world.
Our world-leading regulatory control is balanced with innovation, and work is underway to ensure that we are as competitive in ten years’ time as we are now.
What message would you like to share with Newsweek readers considering Jersey for investment or tourism?
Jersey’s spirit of enterprise has driven the Island’s economy since the first ships were built, the first ‘Jerseys’ were knitted, and the first cod fishermen crossed the Atlantic.
Our links to the US are strong and historic, and we welcome visitors from around the world for both business and leisure.
There are so many reasons to come to Jersey on holiday – our beautiful coastline and vibrant community – and many more to invest. We are a world-leading jurisdiction in many sectors, and we welcome people who want to be part of a community that has a business-friendly infrastructure.
We have a thriving business environment, stable and independent government and legislature, a highly developed communications network, a pro-business attitude, and low personal and business taxes. Add in a high quality of life and a good work/life balance and Jersey is the perfect place to bring your family and your business.
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