European crypto millionaires discover real estate as an investment destination with transactions in digital currency

High-net-worth investors holding cryptocurrencies are finding European real estate to be a strategic opportunity to diversify their digital assets. This emerging trend reflects how virtual currency holders are adopting patterns similar to traditional investors: seeking safe havens in tangible assets that reduce portfolio risk.

Approximately a year ago, Nikolay Denisenko, former senior backend engineer at the European fintech Revolut, formalized an innovative mechanism through his cryptocurrency payment platform, Brighty. This service allows high-profile clients to convert their digital holdings into legitimized real estate transactions, opening access to residential properties in premium destinations across the continent.

Real estate investment becomes a safe haven for diversified crypto portfolios

Demand for this service has experienced explosive growth. Since its launch, Brighty has facilitated over 100 successful real estate transactions, with additional deals in progress. The platform, licensed in Lithuania, has built a client base of between 100 and 150 wealthy individuals, with an average monthly expenditure of $50,000.

Purchases are mainly distributed across five key European markets: the United Kingdom, France, Malta, Cyprus, and Andorra. The range of real estate transactions varies considerably, starting at approximately $500,000 and reaching up to $2.5 million in larger cases. These amounts not only reflect the purchasing power of this investor segment but also the sophistication of their capital deployment strategies.

“The upper limit of our use cases is the purchase of apartments in Europe, where transaction sizes range from half a million to 2.5 million dollars,” Denisenko explained during an interview. This scale of operations responds to a market need that traditional financial institutions have consistently avoided addressing.

How Brighty facilitates cryptocurrency real estate transactions with compliance standards

The purchase process implemented by Brighty integrates multiple layers of verification. Clients begin by liquidating their cryptocurrencies through rigorous blockchain analysis, using specialized tools like Elliptic to assess the provenance of funds. This due diligence is critical: only after meeting regulatory compliance standards are digital assets accepted, and a fiat-denominated account is opened in the client’s name.

The next step involves a clean transfer: funds are sent directly to the property seller—whether a lawyer or owner—in the form of local payment, not from Brighty or its banking partners. This operational structure completely disconnects Brighty from the final transaction, alleviating concerns about the circulation of suspicious capital.

The operational advantage is substantial when compared to traditional methods. The SWIFT system, a global interbank network connecting over 11,000 institutions, involves greater complexities and processing times. For investors converting stablecoins like USDC to local euros, cryptocurrency routes offer faster and less costly alternatives.

From USDC to EURC: the smart evolution of stablecoins in European real estate investments

A notable shift has occurred in stablecoin preferences among Brighty’s real estate clientele. Historically, Circle’s USDC dominated large-scale transactions. However, recently, there has been a growing preference for euro-denominated stablecoins, particularly Circle’s EURC, with the explicit goal of avoiding unnecessary currency exchange frictions.

Numbers confirm this shift: the average size of euro-denominated transactions saw a significant increase. In the third quarter, transactions averaged €15,785 (approximately $18,385). By the fourth quarter, this average rose to €59,894 (around $69,762), with high-net-worth clients executing larger operations directly in EURC instead of USDC.

“We observe a pronounced change in our wealthy clients’ behavior,” Denisenko noted. “They previously used USDC, but now prioritize stablecoins in euros. The reason is simple but decisive: depositing in USDC and purchasing something in Europe incurs currency conversion costs. Using EURC completely eliminates that exchange rate friction.”

Blockchain due diligence: the tool that reconciles security and cryptocurrency adoption

A historical objection raised by traditional banks is the potential use of cryptocurrencies for money laundering. Denisenko categorically rejects the validity of these concerns, arguing that modern blockchain analysis tools provide sufficient verification of the legality of funds.

“The initial prejudice from banks simply stems from the fact that these investors own cryptocurrencies,” Denisenko stated. “That can cause alarm, even if these individuals have accumulated their wealth transparently, for example, through Bitcoin. If they want to use that money to buy an apartment, we conduct rigorous due diligence using specialized blockchain analysis tools to examine the wallets involved.”

This approach recognizes a paradox: legitimate cryptocurrency holders often face resistance from financial institutions precisely because of the nature of their assets, regardless of their verifiable origin. Existing technological solutions—such as the analysis platforms Brighty uses—can bridge this gap, allowing investors with proven legal and financial capacity to access European real estate markets without unnecessary obstacles.

Future prospects: crypto millionaires and real estate investments on the radar of European agencies

Looking ahead, Brighty is exploring strategic partnerships with European real estate agencies, aiming to integrate property acquisitions through legitimately obtained crypto assets as a standard offering in their service portfolios.

The broader context underscores why this demand is natural. Data from 2025 reveal that the global population of crypto millionaires—individuals with digital assets exceeding $1 million—grew by 40% over a 12-month period, reaching 241,700 people. For this high-net-worth segment, diversification into real estate is a rational risk management strategy, not an anomaly.

“Our wealthy clients pursue a fundamental goal: reducing risk concentration in their digital asset portfolios by investing a significant portion in European real estate,” Denisenko concluded. As more financial intermediaries recognize this reality and develop robust compliance infrastructures, the flow of crypto capital into real estate markets could accelerate significantly, redefining traditional property financing patterns across Europe.