I've incorporated a number of companies (for other people-it's part of what I do) in DE, NY and NJ. The Wyoming rules aren't as special as your post suggests. For instance, protection of officers and directors from debts of corporation--absent blatant mixing of corporate and personal funds, this is standard. Lack of shareholder lists--can you imagine the practical nightmare of having to provide such lists? The SEC only requires shareholder registration for those who own more than 5% of the company. One Dollar funding of corporation--again, standard. While Wyoming may diverge from most states in some respects, a vast majority of companies are registered in only a few states, so the policies of most states don't matter much.