About

The Catawba Digital Economic Zone is the first jurisdiction within the United States created specifically for blockchain, fintech, and digital asset companies. It was established in February 2022 through a vote by the Catawba Indian Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe located in the Carolinas with a 700-acre reservation and over 3,000 citizens.

The Zone operates under the sovereign authority of the Catawba Nation, which gives it the legal ability to create its own civil laws and regulatory framework independent of state and federal regulations in certain areas. The CDEZ allows companies from anywhere in the world to incorporate as LLCs or C-Corps and operate under laws specifically written for digital businesses.

The regulatory framework defines blockchain, digital assets, digital securities, virtual currencies, and NFTs, and is based in part on the work of Wyoming policymakers but with improvements tailored to the digital economy. The Zone has also passed regulations allowing DAOs to register as recognized legal entities, which is something few jurisdictions anywhere in the world currently offer.

Unlike many special economic zones that rely on tax breaks to attract businesses, the CDEZ's primary value is its legal structure. The laws are designed to provide clarity and certainty for businesses that operate in areas where traditional regulation is ambiguous or hostile.

The Zone Authority, which governs the CDEZ, has four of its five seats occupied by Catawba officials, with the fifth seat held by the management company. The project is expected to create local employment opportunities for Catawba Nation members and bring technology companies into the community as mentors and partners.