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United Arab Emirates vs Cayman Islands: which jurisdiction wins?
United Arab Emirates vs Cayman Islands — both credible, very different trade-offs. Below: side-by-side on the variables that actually move the decision.
| United Arab Emirates | Cayman Islands | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax headline | 9% corporate tax above AED 375k (free zones 0% on qualifying) | 0% corporate, capital gains, and income tax |
| Formation days | 10 | 5 |
| First-year cost | $6,500 | $4,200 |
| Treaties | 140+ | Limited |
| Substance | Free zone QFZP requires adequate substance | Economic Substance Law applies to relevant activities |
| Banking | Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, plus Wio and crypto-friendly EMIs | Top-tier prime brokerage and crypto-friendly banking via Cayman National & private banks |
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