tl;dr
Christie’s International Real Estate has launched a division dedicated to real estate transactions using cryptocurrency, assembling experts to facilitate deals without traditional banks. Following notable sales like a $65 million Beverly Hills property bought entirely with crypto, CEO Aaron Kirman v...
One of the largest luxury brokerages in the United States, Christie’s International Real Estate, has launched a dedicated division to facilitate real estate purchases with digital currency. This pioneering move assembles a specialized team of lawyers, analysts, and crypto experts to manage transactions where buyers and sellers rely solely on cryptocurrency, bypassing traditional banking systems. The initiative follows several high-profile deals, including a $65 million Beverly Hills property sold entirely using cryptocurrency. Aaron Kirman, CEO of a Christie’s subset in Los Angeles, sees this as a clear market shift, noting, “Crypto is here to stay” and expects it to grow significantly in the coming years.
The broader regulatory landscape is also evolving rapidly. Recently, President Trump signed the Genius Act, introducing federal rules for stablecoins to maintain price stability, while the House passed the Clarity Act, aimed at shielding the crypto industry from stringent regulations. These developments come amid executive actions and reforms that have notably benefited Trump’s own crypto wealth and business ventures. With growing governmental support, cryptocurrency is increasingly penetrating the housing market. In fact, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been directed to consider crypto investments when approving mortgages.
Despite real estate transactions using cryptocurrency still being relatively rare, 14 percent of American adults reportedly own some form of digital currency. According to Mr. Kirman, digital payments are especially popular among wealthy buyers who traditionally pay cash, offering enhanced privacy by concealing identity—a significant advantage in luxury real estate where public figures often try to avoid association. While celebrities use LLCs to mask their property ownership, savvy internet enthusiasts often uncover these connections. However, Mr. Kirman claims multiple deals have occurred where the seller remains unaware of the buyer’s identity, with lawyers ensuring funds are legitimate without disclosing owners.
Mr. Kirman’s portfolio boasts over $1 billion in properties open to crypto payments, including iconic estates like the $118 million Bel Air mansion "La Fin," a $63 million Beverly Hills home named Nightingale, and the minimalist Invisible House in Joshua Tree. Chris Hanley, owner of Invisible House, highlights crypto’s appeal as a way for millionaires and billionaires to diversify by acquiring tangible assets. The brokerage’s new division also helps buyers establish LLCs funded by cryptocurrency, complicating the tracking and transparency of these deals.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kirman is in discussions with major banks to accept cryptocurrency for financed home purchases and forecasts that within five years, crypto transactions could represent over one-third of all U.S. residential real estate deals. He proudly asserts the division’s success in protecting buyer anonymity, emphasizing the evolving openness and legitimacy of cryptocurrency within luxury real estate markets, reflecting a significant cultural and financial transformation in how wealth and assets are managed and exchanged.