Unefund — fund formation platform
HomeJurisdictionsBahamas

Bahamas fund structures for flexible and innovative investment platforms.

Last Updated: April 2026

The Bahamas offers a well-regulated and tax-neutral platform for investment funds, with flexible regulatory frameworks including the innovative SMART Fund regime for alternative and bespoke strategies.

Start your Bahamas fund

Bahamas fund formation is the process of establishing an investment fund under the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). The Bahamas offers SMART funds, Professional Funds, and Standard Funds, with innovative regulatory frameworks designed for private wealth and institutional strategies. Setup typically takes 4-8 weeks.

Bahamas at a Glance

RegulatorSecurities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB)
Common Fund TypesSMART Fund, Professional Fund, Standard Fund
Typical Setup Time4-8 weeks
Min. SubscriptionUSD 50,000-500,000 (varies by type)
Tax TreatmentTax-neutral
Legal SystemCommon law
EU PassportNo
Best ForPrivate wealth, family office, Caribbean hub

About the Jurisdiction

Bahamas

The Bahamas is recognized globally for its ease of doing business, modern financial legislation, and strong professional infrastructure for investment funds.

Tax-neutral fund environment
Modern Investment Funds Act, 2019
Innovative SMART Fund regime
Strong confidentiality provisions
Established professional infrastructure

Regulator

Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB)

The SCB provides a tiered regime under the Investment Funds Act, 2019, ranging from lightly regulated private funds to fully regulated retail funds, including the innovative SMART Fund structures.

Type of Fund

Common Bahamas fund types supported by Unefund

Standard Funds

Retail / Public
  • Full authorization and SCB supervision required
  • Prospectus and offering documents must be approved
  • Strict investment, custody, and disclosure requirements
  • Suitable for retail investors and broad distribution
  • Can be open-ended or closed-ended

Professional Funds

Sophisticated / Institutional
  • Offered only to professional or sophisticated investors
  • Minimum investment threshold generally applies
  • Lighter regulatory burden than Standard Funds
  • Must appoint regulated service providers
  • Used for hedge funds and alternative strategies

Private Funds

Private Placement
  • Limited to maximum of 50 investors
  • Offers must be made on private basis only
  • Simplified regulatory requirements
  • Flexible investment strategies
  • Popular for family offices and club deals
Most Innovative

SMART Funds

Fast Track
  • Tailored regulatory approach based on strategy
  • Several models available (001-007)
  • Fast-track approval process
  • High flexibility for alternative strategies
  • Used for PE, structured products, proprietary funds

Recognized Foreign Funds

Cross-Border
  • Already regulated in approved foreign jurisdiction
  • Subject to SCB recognition not full licensing
  • Used for cross-border fund distribution
  • Streamlined entry for established funds

Our Approach

Structure is not a form. It is a system.

Unefund does not treat Bahamas funds as standalone legal entities. Each structure is designed to ensure the fund operates as part of a coherent institutional platform.

01Investment strategy alignment
02Investor profile assessment
03Regulatory positioning
04Banking and custody feasibility
05Reporting and governance requirements

Important Note

Bahamas structures offer flexibility and innovation through the SMART Fund regime. Maintaining institutional credibility requires disciplined governance and operational design.

Unefund's role is to ensure flexibility remains institutional.

Your Journey

From vision to launch

Why Unefund

A single orchestration layer for your Bahamas fund.

Single Coordination

One point of contact for your entire fund setup and operations.

Integrated Support

Fund setup and operational support working seamlessly together.

Regulatory Alignment

Strong compliance frameworks built into every structure.

Multi-Jurisdictional

Expertise across Bahamas, BVI, Cayman, Mauritius, UAE, Singapore, Luxembourg, and more.

Asset Class Experience

PE, VC, Hedge, Credit, Digital Assets, and Real Estate fund structures.

Technology-Enabled

Technology-driven portal and reporting framework.

Transparent pricing — Cost-effective and predictable, with no hidden fees.

Why Bahamas

Benefits of the Bahamas jurisdiction

Tax-neutral fund environment
Flexible and modern regulatory framework
Fast time-to-market (SMART and Private Funds)
Strong confidentiality and investor privacy
Variety of structures for different strategies
Established professional infrastructure

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Approximately 4–8 weeks, depending on fund type and documentation readiness.

The Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) under the Investment Funds Act, 2019.

No. Unefund acts as the central coordination point with all key service providers.

We follow a transparent and all-inclusive pricing structure with no hidden or unexpected charges.

SMART Funds offer a tailored regulatory approach with several models available, fast-track approval, and high flexibility for alternative and bespoke investment strategies.

Typical documentation includes: Incorporation documents; Constitutional documents (MOA & AOA / LPA); Offering documents (PPM, Subscription Agreement, Risk Disclosures); Management and governance documents; AML and compliance policies; Service provider agreements.

Design your Bahamas fund structure with institutional clarity.

Structured. Integrated. Accountable.

Talk to Unefund