Buy real estate with crypto in France

Purchasing real estate with cryptocurrencies is an innovative solution attracting more and more buyers.

If you are a real estate agency looking to offer property sales in cryptocurrencies, our law firm, in collaboration with a Parisian notary, provides you with a turnkey service, secure and tailored to meet this growing demand.

Offer your clients a new way to acquire real estate, securely, with our expertise.

Transparent Fees

15% VAT included of the sale price, including notary fees included. Excludes agency fees. Our fees cover everything: legal support, tax expertise, and crypto/euro exchange fees.

Fast Availability

Appointments within 72 hours. Let’s discuss your project.

Expertise and Protection

Collaboration between Lawyers and Notary. Together, we ensure perfect legal and tax compliance for the transaction.

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They Trust Us

How Does It Work?

Step 1: Initial Consultation

The agency wants to offer property sales in cryptocurrencies to reach a wider audience and contacts us to set up a collaboration.

Together, we define the terms for the agency’s commission (100% in euros, 100% in cryptocurrencies, or a mixed approach).

The agency reassures the seller: they will receive the full sale amount entirely in euros, unless they choose to receive part or all of it in cryptocurrencies.

Step 2: Funds Verification and Tax Advice

When the agency receives a request to purchase a property in cryptocurrencies, the agency forwards the project details to us: the property in question, the buyer’s profile and nationality, and their payment preferences: entirely in cryptocurrencies, mixed (partially in crypto and partially in euros), or combined with a loan.

Our lawyers verify the origin of the buyer’s cryptocurrency funds to ensure legal compliance and prevent any risk of money laundering, thereby securing the transaction.

If the buyer wishes, we also assist with tax optimization and guidance on reporting obligations.

Step 3: Drafting the Sales Agreement

The notary drafts the sales agreement, specifying the payment terms chosen by the seller: in euros, cryptocurrencies, or a combination of both.

Step 4: Finalizing the Sale and Transferring Funds

At the time of the sales deed signing, the notary oversees the conversion of funds (crypto to euros if necessary) and ensures the agreed amounts are transferred to the seller according to the terms defined in the sales agreement (in euros, cryptocurrencies, or a mixed approach).

Once the sale is finalized, the real estate agency receives its commission according to the agreed terms.

This process guarantees a smooth, secure transaction in compliance with current regulations.

Who Are We?

Maître Elias BOURRAN

Partner Lawyer

Doctorate in Tax Law from Paris Dauphine University

Graduate of the National School of Administration (ENA)

Lawyer registered with the Paris Bar Association

Maître Gil LÉONARD

Partner Notary

Notarial firm located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris

Notary for over 25 years

Buying Real Estate in Cryptocurrency : A Key Opportunity for the Industry

Purchasing real estate in cryptocurrency is rapidly gaining popularity and represents a true revolution in the sector. This innovative method attracts a growing number of investors and buyers, drawn by the ability to conduct real estate transactions using their digital assets directly.

For real estate agencies, offering cryptocurrency transactions allows access to a rapidly expanding market, composed of many crypto holders eager to acquire properties without converting their assets into traditional currencies. This innovative positioning can help you expand your client base and meet the increasing demand, whether for payments entirely in cryptocurrency or mixed transactions combining crypto and euros.

By offering properties in cryptocurrency, you attract a dynamic audience, younger, and ready to invest quickly, including foreign buyers who appreciate the opportunity to acquire real estate in France without the constraints of currency conversion. It’s a chance to diversify your offerings, stand out from the competition, and meet the needs of modern buyers who seek simplicity, speed, and flexibility in their real estate transactions.

In 2023, the number of cryptocurrency holders jumped from 432 million to 580 million, marking a 34% increase, according to a Crypto.com report. This figure highlights the growing enthusiasm for this expanding sector and demonstrates increased global adoption.

Total number of cryptocurrency holders in 2023 (in millions)

Case Studies: Real Estate Purchase in Cryptocurrency

Example 1: Buying an Apartment in Paris with USDT

A buyer wants to purchase an apartment in Paris for €500,000 using USDT (Tether), a stable cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar, where 1 USDT = 1 USD.

Assuming the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar is 1 USD = €0.90, the buyer will need to transfer approximately 555,556 USDT (€500,000 / €0.90).

Step 1: Tax Advice, Fund Verification, and Drafting the Sales Agreement

Lawyers advise the buyer on applicable tax considerations (if desired) and verify the buyer’s fund origin (mandatory) to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Then, the notary drafts a sales agreement stating that the seller will receive €500,000 in euros unless an agreement is made to receive cryptocurrencies.

Step 2: Fund Transfer, Conversion, and Signing of the Deed

To carry out the transaction, a crypto account is opened on a centralized exchange platform certified as a PSAN (Digital Asset Service Provider) by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF). The buyer transfers the 555,556 USDT to this account.

Once the funds are received on this crypto account, the signing of the deed can proceed at the notary’s office. The USDT-to-euro conversion takes place directly at the notary’s office under their supervision. This process takes only a few minutes. After conversion, the notary transfers the euros to the seller’s bank account, finalizing the transaction securely.

Agency Fees

The real estate agency receives its fees upon the transfer of funds, in euros or crypto, according to its preference.

Example 2: Buying an Apartment in Paris with Bitcoin

An investor wants to buy an apartment worth €1,000,000 using Bitcoin (BTC).

Assuming the price of Bitcoin at the time of the transaction is €50,000 per BTC, the buyer will need to transfer 20 BTC (€1,000,000 / €50,000 per BTC).

Step 1: Tax Advice, Fund Verification, and Drafting the Sales Agreement

Lawyers advise the buyer on tax considerations (if desired) and verify the origin of the buyer’s 20 BTC (mandatory) to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Then, the notary drafts a sales agreement indicating that the seller will receive euros unless an agreement is made to receive cryptocurrencies.

Step 2: Fund Transfer, Conversion, and Signing of the Deed

To complete the transaction, a crypto account is opened on a centralized exchange platform certified as a PSAN by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF). The buyer transfers the 20 BTC to this account.

Once the funds are received on this crypto account, the signing of the deed can proceed at the notary’s office. The conversion of BTC to euros is performed under the notary’s supervision, ensuring a secure process. After the conversion, the notary transfers the €1,000,000 to the seller’s bank account, finalizing the transaction.

Agency Fees

The real estate agency receives its fees upon the transfer of funds.

Example 3: Buying a Villa in Nice with Mixed Payment

A buyer wants to acquire a villa in Nice for €750,000 using €300,000 in Ethereum (ETH) and €450,000 in euros.

Assuming the exchange rate of Ethereum at the time of the transaction is €1,500 per ETH, the buyer will need to transfer 200 ETH (€300,000 / €1,500 per ETH) for the crypto portion of the transaction.

Step 1: Tax Advice, Fund Verification, and Drafting the Sales Agreement

Lawyers advise the buyer on tax considerations (if desired) and verify the origin of the buyer’s funds (mandatory) to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering laws. Then, the notary drafts a sales agreement specifying the exact amounts in ETH and euros.

Step 2: Fund Transfer, Conversion, and Signing of the Deed

Once the funds are received, the signing of the deed can proceed. The conversion of ETH to euros is conducted under the notary’s supervision. The notary transfers the full amount of €750,000 to the seller’s bank account, finalizing the transaction securely.

Agency Fees

The real estate agency receives its fees upon the transfer of funds.

Why Buy Real Estate with Cryptocurrencies?

Using cryptocurrencies to purchase real estate offers several distinct advantages:

Faster Sales Process

If the buyer has the full amount available in cryptocurrency, the transaction can be significantly accelerated, potentially reducing the time between the sales agreement and the signing of the final deed.

Unlike traditional financing, which involves delays due to loan approvals, bank guarantees, or administrative procedures, cryptocurrency payments offer immediate availability of funds. This speeds up the process, making it possible to sign the deed much more quickly, depending on the availability of the parties and required verifications (e.g., preemption rights).

Speed of Transactions

Unlike traditional payment methods that can take several days to complete, cryptocurrency transactions are often completed within minutes to hours.

Increased Transparency

Thanks to blockchain technology, every transaction is verifiable and immutable, providing exceptional transparency and traceability.

Global Accessibility

Cryptocurrencies enable international transactions without dealing with exchange rates or traditional administrative complexities. Additionally, you can now reach buyers worldwide who hold cryptocurrency and wish to acquire property directly without converting their assets into euros.

How Does a Real Estate Purchase in Cryptocurrency Work?

Finding a Property and Defining Payment Terms

Any real estate property can be sold in cryptocurrency, even if the seller prefers to receive funds in euros.

The seller has the option to choose how they wish to be paid: 100% in euros, 100% in cryptocurrency, or a mix of the two.

The key appeal is for cryptocurrency holders who can directly acquire real estate without converting their assets into euros beforehand.

Legal, Tax, and Regulatory Consultation

Before proceeding with the purchase, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer to evaluate the tax implications of the transaction for the buyer and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

Fund origin verification is also critical to ensure the transaction is not considered money laundering.

Signing the Sales Agreement

The notary drafts the sales agreement.

This document specifies the payment method (100% cryptocurrency, 100% euros, or mixed) and binds both parties to the terms of the transaction.

Transferring Funds and Finalizing the Sale

The funds are transferred at the signing of the sales deed at the notary’s office.

The notary ensures the seller receives the funds, whether in cryptocurrency, euros, or a combination of the two, according to their preferences.

The agency receives its commission at the same time.

Precautions When Buying Real Estate in Cryptocurrency

Volatility of Cryptocurrency Prices

One of the characteristics of cryptocurrencies is their high volatility. The price of Bitcoin or Ethereum can fluctuate significantly within days, potentially impacting the final price of a property if the transaction is not well-managed.

It is recommended that the buyer set specific conditions to mitigate this risk, such as conversion to euros at a fixed rate or using stablecoins like USDT to eliminate this risk.

Legal Compliance and Fund Verification

Special attention must be given to regulations surrounding the use of cryptocurrencies in high-value transactions.

This includes verifying the origin of the funds and fulfilling tax declaration obligations. We ensure that each step of the transaction complies with these requirements to guarantee a transparent and secure operation.

Fund Security

Cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible. It is crucial to ensure that the transfer of funds is secure and to work with trusted professionals to avoid any risk of fraud or error. This is why we exclusively collaborate with cryptocurrency exchange platforms certified as PSAN (Digital Asset Service Providers) by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF). This approach ensures maximum security at every stage of the transaction.

Which Professionals Can Help?

To ensure a secure and compliant cryptocurrency real estate purchase, it is essential to surround yourself with experienced professionals:

Lawyers

They ensure that the transaction complies with all legal obligations, including anti-money laundering laws. They provide advice on the tax aspects of the transaction and ensure that all necessary tax declarations are correctly completed.

Notaries

The notary plays a key role in drafting legal documents, such as the sales agreement and the deed. They ensure the legality and compliance of the entire process.

Real Estate Agencies

Real estate agencies help sellers reach a broader audience by making their properties accessible to buyers using cryptocurrency. This opens the door to buyers and investors worldwide, increasing market reach and facilitating sales in an innovative way.

Why Use Our Service?

We offer a comprehensive service for cryptocurrency real estate purchases:

Personalized Legal and Tax Support

Our lawyers provide tax advice and ensure your transaction’s compliance.

Transaction Security

With a lawyer-notary collaboration, every step of the sale is legal and secure.

Payment Flexibility

Choose full payment in cryptocurrency or a mixed solution, depending on your needs. The seller and agency can opt to receive funds in cryptocurrency, euros, or a combination of the two, based on their preferences.

Transparent Fees

Our fees, including notary fees, represent 15% VAT included of the sale price.

Conclusion

Offering real estate transactions in cryptocurrency is a unique opportunity to diversify your client base and modernize your offerings. However, it requires professional oversight to ensure secure, legally, and fiscally compliant operations.

Our firm supports you with tailored and secure solutions, enabling you to leverage this new sales channel confidently. To learn more about our support and how we can facilitate your cryptocurrency real estate transactions, contact us.