Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership refers to the natural person(s) who ultimately own or control an asset, such as a company or property, even if their name isn't directly on official documents. They are the real individuals benefiting from the asset's profits or control. This concept helps identify who truly benefits from financial arrangements, reducing fraud and ensuring transparency. For example, a person may set up a company but remain the real owner behind the scenes, making them the beneficial owner. Regulations often require companies to disclose their beneficial owners to prevent illegal activities like money laundering.