Real estate is evolving fast, with blockchain at the centre of this transformation, as highlighted during a panel discussion at the recently-held REALTYon 2025 expo in Limassol. During the discussion, we learned how tokenisation can reshape ownership. We saw clear comparisons with traditional methods and heard real numbers. We gained practical insights.

The discussion was led by George Agathangelou, Chief Operating Officer at IPMB. He moderated a group of experts who bring global experience. Zoran Radovanovic, CEO and Founder of Breinrock, spoke on payments infrastructure. Sergei Ivanov, CEO and Founder of Alma, shared views on management platforms. Oren Abiri, Director of Corporate Division at XBO.com, covered digital asset compliance. Michael Pelosi, Senior Legal Counsel at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC, addressed legal frameworks.

You can invest in real estate with small sums. Tokenisation breaks property into digital shares. Each share can cost a few hundred euros or less, and you can buy a fraction of an asset while still earning rental income and capital gains. You avoid the high barriers of whole-property purchases. Furthermore, you can gain access even if you lack a mortgage or a large down payment.

In addition to that, you trade tokens on digital markets every hour of every day. Blockchain platforms never sleep. Your orders settle in minutes rather than days. Another benefit is that you avoid bank cutoffs and weekend delays. You move funds across borders without waiting for banking hours, and that gives you true market access. With real-time prices, you act when the market moves.

Zoran from Breinrock mentioned, “Tokenisation can help you cut transaction fees dramatically. Traditional real estate payments carry 1.5 to 5 percent fees. Blockchain rails can push that below 1 percent. You save on margined rental payments and purchase costs. You boost your net returns. You free up capital for additional investments and reduce the drag of hidden charges.”

Smart contracts automate transfers and enforce compliance by embedding ownership rules and transfer conditions directly into code. Manual checks disappear, cutting out human error and speeding up closings. Legal fees tied to paperwork fall, while every step gains clarity through a fully traceable ledger.

Michael Pelosi from Elias Neocleous & Co LLC stresses that, “Regulatory frameworks are still evolving, and many jurisdictions lack clear tokenisation rules. Staying informed on emerging guidance for digital shares and adapting strategies as laws take shape is essential. Engaging legal counsel with crypto and securities expertise ensures compliance from the start and opens channels to influence policy through dialogue with regulators.”

Traditional banks are racing to keep pace with agile crypto platforms. Emerging partnerships between legacy lenders and fintech firms signal a shift toward hybrid models that combine banking trust with blockchain speed. Pilot tokenisation projects within major banks highlight this trend, and monitoring these developments can uncover new service opportunities for any forward-looking portfolio.

Tokenised real estate opens fresh financing avenues beyond traditional loans. Developers gain access to a global pool of investors and can secure funding for projects that might falter under strict lending criteria. Asset-backed tokens are emerging as a viable instrument to finance construction and renovation, broadening market reach far beyond local banking networks.

Oren from XBO mentioned, “Digital identity checks and e-signatures have replaced mountains of paperwork. Notary appointments become optional rather than mandatory. Transactions settle faster, with deadlines met reliably and administrative bottlenecks eliminated. Time saved on documentation can be redirected toward deal analysis and strategy.”

Sergei from Alma mentioned, “Active collaboration among regulators, investors, and developers is now critical. Transparent communication of real-world use cases and challenges helps shape balanced regulations. Early engagement builds confidence in tokenised assets and accelerates market adoption through shared progress.”

To sum up, the transformation toward tokenised real estate is well underway. Investment strategies should be reviewed and legal frameworks updated to accommodate digital shares. Small allocations on token platforms can serve as valuable tests. Networking at the intersection of finance and technology positions participants to lead in a market defined by speed, transparency, and inclusivity.