Bitcoin Investor Proposes Private Court System in Nevis Development

A prominent bitcoin investor is seeking to establish a self-governed libertarian enclave in the Caribbean, complete with a private court system, as part of a tech-aligned “network state” initiative.

Olivier Janssens, a Belgian–Nevisian dual citizen and early Bitcoin adopter, is leading a development called “Destiny” through his company, South Nevis Ltd. The project, set along the southern coast of Nevis, is the first to operate under the island’s new Special Sustainability Zones Authorisation Act. This legislation, passed in mid-2025, allows for broad private development rights, including provisions for internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

Janssens, who has criticised Nevis’s court system as inefficient, stated during a November panel discussion that Destiny may implement its own legal framework for certain matters, while still recognising national jurisdiction. The suggestion has stirred debate, with critics warning the project risks becoming “a state within a state”.

Designed by global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Destiny includes villas, clinics, and green infrastructure. Janssens says the project will be open to all islanders and could invest at least $50 million into local infrastructure. However, many residents remain uneasy about its scale, environmental impact, and the lack of public consultation in shaping the SSZ law.

Political opposition figures, including members of the Nevis Reformation Party, have voiced concerns over governance and potential conflicts of interest. Sharon Brantley, the real estate agent handling land acquisitions for Destiny, is married to Nevis Premier Mark Brantley. Neither has commented publicly on the matter.

Destiny joins a growing list of network-state style experiments led by crypto-affluent investors seeking private jurisdictions. While some, like Próspera in Honduras, have attracted significant capital and controversy, most remain theoretical.

For Bitcoin advocates, Destiny’s development raises questions about sovereignty, parallel legal structures, and the long-term viability of libertarian enclaves. Though framed as sustainable and inclusive, the project’s final shape, and its acceptance by the Nevisian public, remains uncertain.