dAta aSsEt FoUndAtIonS
Data dOne
dIffeRentlY
Discover how the Isle of Man's Data Asset Foundations (DAF's) will enable businesses to drive value from its data, list it on balance sheets, use it as collateral and integrate it into M&A strategies.
DAFs will leverage the existing legislation of the Isle of Man Foundation Act, and is specifically designed to treat data as a capital asset. With strong governance, regulatory oversight, and transparency built in, it allows organisations to securely pool data, manage how it’s used, and unlock value across sectors – all within a trusted legal framework.
DEDICATED DATA STEWARDS
DERIVE VALUE FROM YOUR DATA
GLOBAL COMPLIANCE
DATA GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK HARD-CODED INTO LAW
STATUTORY DATA ASSET REGISTER
unMatChed
pRotectIon
Join a forward-thinking community of businesses that recognise the immense value and responsibility of data stewardship. Embrace the Isle of Man's pioneering framework to unlock a suite of benefits: from safeguarding your most sensitive data assets in a rapidly evolving digital world and ensuring your operations meet the demands of international data compliance, to crafting bespoke governance structures that align with your unique business objectives.
This isn't just about compliance—it's about leveraging data responsibly for growth, innovation, and building trust with your stakeholders.
sHapInG tHe
FutUre oF dAta
The Isle of Man is taking a bold step onto the global stage with a unique approach to trusted data use and innovation, through a new partnership between Digital Isle of Man and international experts, EDM Council.
"Our partnership with EDM Council marks a bold step forward in creating an entirely new market. We’re not adapting to a global standard – we’re defining it. By establishing the legal and operational foundations for data as an asset class, the Isle of Man is building a trusted environment for innovation, investment and leadership in the data economy.” - Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive of Digital Isle of Man
in PaRtnerShIp WitH
aDvaNtaGeS oF a
dAta aSsEt ReGisteR
A jurisdiction that goes one step further and creates a dedicated corporate form for data assets, requires every such entity to register data assets with a statutory Data Asset Register, and hard-codes the EDM Council’s DCAM and CDMC frameworks into law.
Legal certainty means financial liquidity
When data asset “ownership”, quality metrics and encumbrances are defined by statute, data can be booked, insured and securitised just like real estate or aircraft parts, unlocking new credit channels.
Uniform control baseline
Turning voluntary frameworks into law eliminates the weakest link problem: every firm must meet the same minimum bar for stewardship, lineage, sovereignty and resilience. Supervisors get machine-readable attestations instead of bespoke compliance packs.
Lower total cost of compliance
One harmonised rule set replaces a maze of sector- and jurisdiction-specific guidance. Firms implement once and inherit cross-regulatory coverage- especially valuable for multinationals juggling GDPR, CPRA, sectoral rules and emerging AI acts.
Data quality as a public good
Mandatory contracts and SLAs on upstream feeds (a DCAM principle) raise overall data quality, reducing negative externalities such as bad credit scores or faulty risk models that propagate through supply chains.
Accelerated data economy growth
Reliable rights mapping and standard APIs decrease transaction friction, encouraging SMEs and start-ups to build on certified datasets while protecting them from unfair contractual clauses - an effect the EU Data Act seeks to create via regulation alone.
