Holding companies · Directors · Treasury
Holding companies and crypto treasury: structuring your project
Do you already own a holding company, or are you considering a company to invest in crypto-assets? HODL Consulting helps you frame the structure, the source of funds and the accounting process.
We start with your actual objective, existing entities and planned transactions.
From the structure to transaction reporting
A corporate crypto treasury project does not begin with opening an exchange account. It begins with identifying who owns the funds, the purpose of the project and the obligations that must still be met. An existing holding company, a newly formed company and a personal investment require different assessments.
An existing holding company or a new entity?
If you already have a holding company, we examine its activity, investments, resources and commitments. The project must be understood within the existing organisation, with the necessary decisions documented. The articles of association define, among other things, the company’s purpose and operating rules. Reviewing them is part of the work; a clause copied from the internet is not a substitute.
If you are considering a new company, the comparison also covers formation and running costs, accounting obligations, shareholder relationships and funding arrangements. Creating an entity solely because it is described as tax-efficient does not establish that it is appropriate. The scenario must be considered through to withdrawing funds, rather than only at the time of buying crypto-assets.
The role of company articles — official French guidance · Compare legal structures in France.
Identify the source and availability of funds
A bank balance does not automatically represent cash available for investment. We consider resources alongside the company’s payment commitments: operating costs, debts, tax, shareholder obligations and subsidiary needs where a group is involved. This distinguishes known obligations from assumptions underlying the project.
Funds may originate from operations, distributions, capital contributions or financing. Each flow needs to be identified and documented within its own framework. A shareholder current-account advance is funding provided to the company; it is different from share capital. Its terms, including repayment or interest, require consideration. A bank transfer alone does not explain the relationship between the shareholder and the company.
Organise decisions and access
Who authorises transactions? Who executes them? Who retains supporting documents and checks movements? These questions matter when several shareholders, employees or providers are involved. Identify accounts held in the entity’s name, the wallets used, responsibilities and handover arrangements when an internal contact changes.
The documentation should also explain the agreed project and the limits set by the business. Our role is to organise the accounting and financial information that supports the decision. Asset selection, the level of exposure and legal assessment of directors’ powers are separate matters to scope with the relevant advisers.
Track the company’s transactions over time
Purchases, sales, internal transfers, fees and any income must reconcile with supporting evidence and balances. A spreadsheet showing only a portfolio’s value on a given date does not replace its history. We organise exchange exports, wallet identification and the collection of records needed for year-end accounts.
Where a holding company owns several subsidiaries, each entity retains its own accounting scope. A transfer between two group companies is not simply a movement between wallets belonging to the same owner: the relationship between the entities and the framework of the transaction need to be explained. Our crypto accounting and tax page explains the reconciliation method.
Illustration: a holding company has cash available
Illustrative situation, not an allocation recommendation. A holding company wants to purchase crypto-assets while also meeting a forthcoming payment and supporting a subsidiary. Before opening the account, the file brings together the source of cash, future commitments, group structure and proposed decisions. The assessment may change the timing, scope or organisation of the project. It does not assume that the entire bank balance is available.
What we prepare with you
- An overview of the structure, accounts and proposed transactions.
- A list of accounting, tax and legal questions to resolve before transactions begin.
- A tracking scope covering accounts, wallets, export frequency and required documents.
- Depending on the agreed engagement, reconciliations, accounting treatments and information required for annual accounts.
The engagement letter specifies the work entrusted to us and how it fits with your lawyer’s or other advisers’ work. It also distinguishes a one-off assessment from recurring accounting support.
Questions before getting started
Is a holding company essential? No. Compare the project with your current organisation, including ongoing administration and eventual withdrawals. An additional entity can create costs and obligations without meeting your needs.
Does an individual’s tax regime apply to the holding company? It should not be carried over automatically. The assessment depends on the company’s tax regime and transactions. Tax at entity level and tax affecting the director when funds are withdrawn are separate questions.
Which documents should we bring? Prepare the articles, latest accounts, any group chart, financing documents and a description of the project. For existing holdings, add exchange accounts, public addresses and available exports. Do not send private keys or recovery phrases.
Continue reading: investing in crypto through a company, financial management and advisory services, and questions specific to medical professionals.
Discuss your project
Tell us about your business, your entity and the transactions you are considering. Together, we will define the scope and the information needed.