Bermuda, answered
What does Y Partners do?
Y Partners is a professional services firm in Hamilton, Bermuda, founded by Tim Reed, Stafford Lowe and Hannes Heyns. We help companies set up and succeed in Bermuda through three solutions: Y Governance (a fractional governance team, including Senior Representative support, embedded compliance, risk, internal audit and finance talent, and independent director search), Y Capital (runway and capital readiness for early-stage ventures with a Bermuda tie) and Y Traction (relationship-led business development).
How do I set up a business in Bermuda?
Most companies incorporate through a licensed Bermuda corporate service provider, appoint a registered office and the local officers the law requires, and, where the activity is regulated, obtain the relevant licence from the Bermuda Monetary Authority before trading. Y Partners is not a corporate service provider and does not incorporate companies. We work alongside your service provider and counsel on governance design, control functions and the working relationship with the Authority, so that the company is ready to operate once it exists.
What is DABA?
The Digital Asset Business Act 2018 (DABA) is Bermuda's licensing regime for digital asset businesses, supervised by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. It sets out licence classes (Class F for a full licence, Class M for a modified licence with conditions and a time limit, and Class T for a test licence), fit and proper requirements for owners and officers, and ongoing obligations covering governance, AML/ATF, cyber security, client asset protection and reporting. Our partners have worked inside DABA-regulated companies since the regime began.
What is a Senior Representative in Bermuda?
Under DABA, a licensed undertaking must appoint a Senior Representative who is resident in Bermuda and approved by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. The Senior Representative has statutory reporting duties to the Authority and is expected to know the business well enough to raise concerns early. Our partners have held the role for licensed companies. Y Partners helps clients identify and appoint a Senior Representative directly, and provides regulatory advisory to support the role.
What is an INED, and why do Bermuda companies appoint one?
An INED is an independent non-executive director: a board member with no executive or ownership role in the company, who brings independent challenge to the board. The Bermuda Monetary Authority expects boards of regulated companies to show real independence and the ability to hold management to account. Y Partners introduces Bermuda-ready independent candidates for your board to assess. The appointment, and the fit and proper responsibility that goes with it, stay with the company.
What are the three lines of defence?
A way of organising risk and control: the business owns and manages its risks (first line), compliance and risk functions oversee and challenge (second line), and internal audit provides independent assurance (third line). The Authority expects dedicated risk ownership, minimal dual-hatting and real independence between the lines. Y Governance designs the three lines to fit the nature, scale and complexity of the company, with experienced fractional specialists rather than headcount.
Does Y Partners raise capital or introduce investors?
No. Y Capital helps founders decide whether, when and how to take capital, and reach the standard at which credible investors engage: evidence an outsider can check, a governance record a board can sign and numbers that survive diligence. We do not arrange deals, introduce investors or give investment advice. Term negotiation stays with your counsel.
How does embedded talent work?
Fractional specialists across AML/ATF compliance, risk management, internal audit, financial control and technology are employed by Y Partners. Your board appoints them to the control function your framework requires, and they work inside your governance framework under your policies. Payroll, work permits and employment infrastructure are handled on our side; oversight stays with your board.
What are the X series events?
The X series is Y Partners' programme of one-day, plenary-only events for Bermuda's professional community. ComplianceX, in June 2026, brought together more than 70 compliance professionals working in digital asset businesses. BoardX, on 1 December 2026 in Hamilton, is for directors and senior executives and covers AI, cyber, data and digital assets in the boardroom. Places are by request.
How do I contact Y Partners?
Write to hello@y.partners. Y Partners is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.