RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
  • Agents
  • Brokers
  • Teams
  • Marketing
  • Coaching
  • Technology
  • More
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • Consumer
    • National
    • Our Editors
Join Premier
Sign In
RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
RISMedia
No Result
View All Result

A Blockchain Future? Cryptocurrencies Gaining Traction in Real Estate Industry

Home House Canary
By Liz Dominguez
January 11, 2018
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A Blockchain Future? Cryptocurrencies Gaining Traction in Real Estate Industry

Beijing, China - December 29, 2017: Two months after the closure of Chinese exchanges, Bitcoin price broke $11000 in December 2, 2017, and some new forks of Bitcoin were launched: Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Btcoin Gold (BTG), Bitcoin Diamond (BCD). Photos of cryptocyrrencies Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, dogecoin with trditional money, new currency system, full depth of focus

Bitcoin started out as blockchain technology with an innovative ideology for a more secure monetary future, and is now taking hold in the real estate world. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, although not yet mainstream, show promise in an industry that typically prioritizes buyers who can provide secure funds for a property in a short amount of time.

Widely misunderstood, cryptocurrencies work through blockchain technology that creates a linear series of blocks of code, which are then used to create a record of each transaction and its access point. The technology uses unique access codes that can be used from nearly anywhere in order to share data in a transaction. Essentially, Bitcoin and other forms of blockchain currencies cut out a central authority, using varying individuals to authorize the payment in order to ensure an impartial and secure transaction.

Some alternative blockchain currencies have wavered in price steadiness, but Bitcoin has consistently gained since its initial unveiling in 2009. Bitcoin’s value skyrocketed to nearly $20 thousand between July and December, and has now leveled off to around $16 thousand.

Bitcoin boasts the following advantages (on its website):

  • Freedom to make or receive payments from anywhere in the world and at any time
  • Fees are not tied to the transfer amount and can be chosen at the discretion of the user.
  • Transactions are more secure because they do not contain sensitive customer information.
  • Users can protect their funds with added backup methods and encryptions.
  • The Bitcoin supply is transparent and cannot be manipulated because it is cryptographically secure.

More and more real estate businesses related to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are beginning to form. One, the International Blockchain Real Estate Association, is a trade organization that was founded in 2013 and implements blockchain in real estate. The association states that using cryptocurrencies in a real estate transaction can “reduce costs, stamp out fraud, speed up transactions, increase financial privacy, internationalize markets and make real estate a liquid asset,” according to its website.

But the technology is not without its vulnerabilities. While the unique codes provide some measure of security, they alone cannot prevent cyber fraud. Just last month, a Youbit heist in North Korea made international headlines as one occurrence in a series of events to try and steal from cryptocurrency exchanges and individual investors. Even Bitcoin is aware of its own challenges; its website cites that the degree of acceptance is low, currency volatility is an issue and the software is still undergoing development in order to make it more secure and accessible to the masses.

Bitcoin also needs to compete against multiple popular cryptocurrencies if it wants to stay on top. Here are the biggest contenders:

  • Ethereum
  • Ripple
  • Litecoin
  • Dash: Digital+ cash
  • NEM
  • Monero
  • Zcash

While some luxury homes are listed with a Bitcoin price tag, the industry is seeing a lot more rental opportunities welcoming the blockchain technology. For example, ManageGo is a New York-based company that allows renters to pay with virtual currency—whether that be Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin—all from an app. With this technology, landlords can eliminate the chance of bounced checks and receive funds by the next day. The app also works as an all-in-one support platform that allows renters to create and track maintenance requests. This is a way to attract renters that may be unsure about paying with Bitcoin, but now have the bonus of timely building maintenance and support to convince them.

Additionally, while buyers, especially home investors, are more willing to invest their cash in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, sellers are wary of accepting a form of payment they are unfamiliar with. Many online marketplaces, such as Overstock.com, Namecheap and Reddit, are now accepting Bitcoin purchases, but it is not yet widespread enough to become a regularly accepted form of payment in a real estate transaction. Most agents are also unfamiliar with blockchain technology, and may decide to forgo working with sellers or buyers who say Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies are the only payment method they will use.

As Bitcoin gains popularity, and, if more businesses begin to accept it as standard purchasing power, only then will the real estate industry begin to really consider the technology. Its use may also largely depend on location. Will it be used at the national level, or will it be relied on mainly for international transactions in order to avoid other volatile currencies?

Dominguez_Liz_60x60Liz Dominguez is RISMedia’s associate content editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at ldominguez@rismedia.com. For the latest real estate news and trends, bookmark RISMedia.com.

Tags: BitcoinBlockchainCryptocurrencyCyber FraudInternational Blockchain Real Estate AssociationLitecoinreal estate newsReal Estate TechnologyReal Estate Transaction
ShareTweetShare

Liz Dominguez

Related Posts

FAIR
Industry News

California FAIR Insurance Seeks 36% Rate Increase Due to Growing Wildfire Concerns

October 6, 2025
Zillow
Agents

Zillow Debuts Real Estate App in ChatGPT

October 6, 2025
Confidence
Agents

Confidence by Design: Build It One Win at a Time

October 6, 2025
MRED
Agents

Midwest Real Estate Data Elects Seven Industry Professionals to Board of Managers

October 6, 2025
HAR CEO and Industry Icon Bob Hale Gets Star-Studded Sendoff in Houston
Agents

HAR CEO and Industry Icon Bob Hale Gets Star-Studded Sendoff in Houston

October 6, 2025
HomeSmart
Agents

HomeSmart Appoints Stacey Onnen as President

October 6, 2025
Please login to join discussion
Tip of the Day

Bubbles to Burst for New Team Members (and How to Help Them)

Whenever anyone enters a new job in a new field, there are always tricks of the trade they have to learn—some that may counter their expectations. Read more.

Business Tip of the Day provided by

Recent Posts

  • California FAIR Insurance Seeks 36% Rate Increase Due to Growing Wildfire Concerns
  • Zillow Debuts Real Estate App in ChatGPT
  • Confidence by Design: Build It One Win at a Time

Categories

  • Spotlights
  • Best Practices
  • Advice
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Social Media

The Most Important Real Estate News & Events

Click below to receive the latest real estate news and events directly to your inbox.

Sign Up
By signing up, you agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

About Blog Our Products Our Team Contact Advertise/Sponsor Media Kit Email Whitelist Terms & Policies ACE Marketing Technologies LLC

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • News
    • Agents
    • Brokers
    • Teams
    • Consumer
    • Marketing
    • Coaching
    • Technology
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • National
    • Our Editors
  • Publications
    • Real Estate Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Custom Covers
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Podcasts
    • Event Coverage
  • Education
    • Get Licensed
    • REALTOR® Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Luxury Designation
    • Real Estate Tools
  • Newsmakers
    • 2025 Newsmakers
    • 2024 Newsmakers
    • 2023 Newsmakers
    • 2022 Newsmakers
    • 2021 Newsmakers
    • 2020 Newsmakers
    • 2019 Newsmakers
  • Power Broker
    • 2025 Power Broker
    • 2024 Power Broker
    • 2023 Power Broker
    • 2022 Power Broker
    • 2021 Power Broker
    • 2020 Power Broker
    • 2019 Power Broker
  • Join Premier
  • Sign In

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

X