Cryptocurrency in real estate: Where are we now?

As of early 2025, the number of real estate listings accepting cryptocurrency payments in Europe accounts for 3-5% of the total market, equivalent to about 1,500-2,000 properties, mostly high-end ones priced over €1 million. In comparison, the share of such transactions in the U.S. reaches 7-10%, reflecting a higher level of cryptocurrency integration in real estate deals.

Currently, Spain leads in terms of the number of cryptoрcurrency transactions due to high demand from foreign investors, with Portugal, Malta, and Germany following, where transparent market regulations or tax incentives are in place.

As Olly Zavadsky, Director of the international real estate agency RED Group, which handles real estate sales in cryptocurrency, says: “Demand for cryptocurrency real estate has significantly increased since 2021. Of course, this is primarily due to the sharp rise in Bitcoin and Ethereum prices that occurred at the start of that year. As a result, high-net-worth crypto investors, looking to diversify their assets, and expats seeking fast cross-border transactions without banking delays, entered the market. Since then, we have consistently seen an increase in cryptocurrency deals. According to our data, the number of such offers has tripled from 2021 to 2024. Properties are mostly available for purchase via Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. However, this remains a niche market due to the lack of a unified regulatory system.”

Dominik Sadloň, CEO at ABFSwap, adds: “In 2024, we also noticed a significant rise in interest in cryptocurrency real estate transactions in Poland and the Czech Republic. Recently, the number of listings offering bonuses or discounts for payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins has significantly increased in these countries. This has made the region more attractive to investors looking for stable European markets. Transactions on our platform are primarily carried out by tech entrepreneurs and crypto traders.”

Why high-end real estate leads the way

To understand the demand for cryptocurrency in real estate, we analyzed the market and found that deals are predominantly concentrated in the luxury property segment. Several factors explain this trend:

• Savings on fees: For transactions worth over €1 million, traditional bank fees can reach €50,000-70,000. Cryptocurrency transactions reduce these costs to just 1-2%.
• International accessibility: Foreign buyers can bypass currency transfer restrictions, making the purchase process significantly easier.
• Speed of transactions: Blockchain technologies allow deals to be completed within 48 hours, whereas traditional transactions can take up to 8 weeks.

For example, in October 2024, Spain Homes completed the sale of 15 properties through cryptocurrency. The average property price was around €500,000, allowing buyers to save over €15,000 on fees compared to traditional bank transfers.

Real estate transactions at ABFSwap are also primarily handled by large investors. The latest example was in January 2025 when a female user purchased a house in Cyprus for €1.2 million. Local banking systems were offering a transfer fee of €50,000-70,000, whereas cryptocurrency transactions had a fee of 0.5%, amounting to €6,000 in this case.

It is worth noting that, given the trend of rising property prices in Europe in recent years, particularly in Poland, Germany, and Cyprus, where the average property transaction price today reaches €150,000-200,000, savings on bank commissions will be just as noticeable as with high-end real estate. This, in turn, opens up new opportunities for the market.

Barriers to widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies in real estate

Despite growing interest, mass adoption of cryptocurrency real estate transactions in Europe is hindered by several challenges:

• Cryptocurrency volatility: Sharp fluctuations in digital asset prices remain a significant barrier for most buyers.
• Lack of trust: Many buyers avoid cryptocurrency transactions due to a lack of knowledge about the technology and the potential risks of fraud.

Cryptocurrency has enormous potential to transform the real estate market, but its widespread adoption remains a long-term goal. Experts believe that several key steps are necessary for the globalization of cryptocurrency payments in real estate:

• Expanding offerings in the mass market by introducing technological solutions like crypto mortgages, which would attract middle-class buyers.
• Promoting the tokenization of real estate (dividing properties into tokens allows smaller investors, who previously had no access to large assets, to participate). This approach will open up new financing opportunities, particularly for commercial real estate.
• Activating educational initiatives among crypto companies. People need to understand that cryptocurrency is both profitable and safe, especially after the introduction of the new European MiCA legislation.

Given these potential changes, real estate agents predict that by 2030, up to 10-12% of the total real estate market in Europe will be available for cryptocurrency transactions.