The online business industry has been waiting for it for some weeks. Before, Nevis officially approved the Nevis Online Platform Bill, 2025, now it’s time for the Nevis Online Platform Ordinance.
These laws not only set the foundation for a regulated online services industry but also put Nevis on the map as a new online business jurisdiction. Both are opening the door for licensed operators seeking a new framework.
In this article, we will figure out what is in the bills and why it matters for the whole industry.
What is in the Laws
The main goal of the legislation is to set a legal framework for regulating online platforms on the island. That’s why the law regulates different aspects, from the regulatory authority and licensing categories to anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.
The Regulatory Body
First, the law established the Nevis Online Platform Authority (NOGA), which is a dedicated regulator responsible for issuing licenses, supervising operators, and ensuring compliance with the law. The authority can also suspend and revoke them if rules are broken. It’s responsible for monitoring operators, checking compliance, and investigating violations.
Licensing Categories
The legislation offers two categories of licensing:
- Business to Consumer License (B2C) – for companies providing online services directly to users.
- Business to Business License (B2B) – for companies providing software or services to platform operators.
Both will be typically valid for one year, with an option to renew annually upon successful compliance review.
Licensing Requirements
Regardless of the type of online services operators offer, they have to meet requirements set by the legislation.
Under the bill, it’s required to register a local company on the island, typically an International Business Corporation (IBC). The company should have a transparent ownership structure and a strong financial position.
The law also sets high standards for integrity and financial reliability. Before operators obtain a license, they need to provide core corporate documents, like a structure diagram, certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, certificate of good standing, as well as a certificate of incumbency to prove their reliability.
In addition to paperwork, they must develop internal policies covering AML, Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, responsible usage with users’ limits and self-exclusion, data protection, and information security.