5 Mistakes to Avoid When Your Clients Want to Pay in Crypto
Paul Stelizuk
09/04/2025
(08/18/2025)
The use of crypto in real estate is no longer a curiosity. The real estate market is evolving. With the rise of crypto in wealth management strategies, new buyer profiles are emerging: blockchain and Web3 entrepreneurs, early Bitcoin adopters, foreign investors with diversified portfolios (Americans, Europeans), or expatriates.
These buyers often have very different expectations: speed, confidentiality, efficiency. They want to pay in cryptocurrency, sometimes from abroad, and often face professionals who are not prepared to support them.
Too often, lack of knowledge, preconceived ideas, or missing tools slow down the sale. Yet these clients are solvent, motivated, and looking for professionals capable of securing their transactions.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes real estate professionals make with crypto clients - and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1 - Refusing a Crypto Transaction by Principle
Some agencies or notary offices outright reject any transaction involving crypto, fearing complexity or unclear legal frameworks. This is a strategic mistake.
Refusing means potentially losing a perfectly legal - and often quick - sale to a better-prepared competitor. In fact, nothing in French regulation prohibits real estate purchases in crypto, as long as the process is properly structured (KYC, proof of funds, escrow, conversion, or seller’s agreement).
Mistake 2 - Confusing Pseudonymity, Anonymity, and Illegality
No, not all crypto transactions are suspicious. And no, blockchain is not a haven for criminals. On the contrary, crypto flows are far easier to trace than traditional financial ones.
Most cryptocurrencies are pseudonymous, not anonymous. Every transaction is recorded on the blockchain and can be traced. The issue is not the crypto itself, but the lack of understanding of the proper compliance framework.
It’s essential to understand: the tool itself is not the risk. A euro transaction can just as easily come from money laundering if not monitored (money laundering in France represents between €40 and €60 billion per year).
Mistake 3 - Failing to Anticipate Compliance Obligations (AML/CFT, FATCA, etc).
Whether French, foreign, resident or non-resident, a crypto buyer looking to acquire real estate always represents a sensitive profile in the eyes of regulators.
For non-residents and/or those subject to tax regimes such as FATCA, the file requires increased vigilance. A lack of preparation can lead to last-minute blocks, especially at the notary’s office.
To avoid this, it is crucial to anticipate:
- Rigorous proof-of-funds checks,
- Guidance from experts familiar with both French and international crypto taxation.
Working with professionals experienced in these transactions helps secure the process from the start.
Mistake 4 - Underestimating the Challenges of a Crypto Transfer
Technically, transferring crypto is fast and easy: a few clicks to move funds from one wallet to another. But that’s precisely what makes the situation misleading.
The real obstacles are not technical - they are legal, fiscal, regulatory, and banking.
Believing that a real estate deal can be settled with a simple crypto transfer is widespread - and dangerous. In reality, a crypto transaction involves several risks:
- Price volatility can change the amount between agreement and closing,
- Conversion into euros is almost always required to finalize the deed,
- Banks remain reluctant to accept crypto-related flows, even when legitimate,
- Clear proof of origin of funds is mandatory,
- Without proper escrow solutions, the transfer remains legally and technically fragile.
The solution: work with a compliant provider offering crypto escrow with automatic euro conversion, secured at every stage.
Mistake 5 - Failing to Adapt Your Sales Approach to Crypto Buyers
Crypto buyers have different expectations from traditional clients. Used to fast and intuitive services, they expect clear communication, instant responsiveness, and at least a basic understanding of crypto-related issues. Adopting an open and professional approach helps build a climate of trust that supports quick decision-making
To gain their trust, it is essential to highlight a smooth, secure, and compliant process, and to explain each step: project presentation, feasibility check, fund security, and final notary signing.
To meet this growing demand, it is essential to upskill: knowing the obligations related to crypto-asset taxation and mastering AML/CFT compliance rules are now prerequisites. Just as strategic is making it known: clearly stating in your listings that you accept crypto payments through a secure solution. This sends a strong signal to crypto clients and positions you as a modern, trusted partner.
Crypto can thus be positioned as a modern and well-managed tool for real estate investment. Professionals trained in crypto transactions - like those at Legibloq - have the tools to meet these expectations and effectively guide their clients. In meetings, clearly present the process and show how your expertise secures and simplifies each stage.
Conclusion - Don’t Miss the Crypto Shift
Today, crypto buyers are a niche. Tomorrow, they will be mainstream.
Envie d’en apprendre plus sur l'achat immobilier en cryptos ? Découvrez Legibloq ->
By mastering these challenges and avoiding classic mistakes, real estate agents, notaries, and developers can attract a new generation of buyers - often more solvent than traditional, bank-financed clients.
With solutions like Legibloq, it is now possible to sell real estate in crypto with full compliance, no shortcuts, and the legal security required under French law.
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