The nascent evolution of blockchain for real estate investment in the USA

Purpose - Emergent research around the operationalisation of innovative technology for real estate suggests blockchain platforms can improve market accessibility, liquidity, transparency, due diligence costs and overall transaction times, providing enhanced diversification opportunities and an optimised investment process. This paper evaluates initial impacts of blockchain technologies where they have seen most growth, exploring the United States of America market. Design/methodology/approach - After reviewing literature on blockchain for real estate, the secondary research approach to data collection mined and verified market information through Crunchbase, a global companies database, and analyses the resulting 24 companies to provide a snapshot of platforms currently using blockchain for investment. Findings - Blockchain provides platforms which effectively mediate traditional barriers to direct real estate investment. However, the research finds that the theoretical benefits of this technology are yet to be realised, due to legal complexities, bureaucratic processes and real-world market dynamics. Considering the burgeoning stage of development of blockchain for real estate, the companies using it are primarily transacting domestic real estate. Currently, the influence of blockchain is apparent, but not yet as disruptive as commonly perceived. Practical implications - The paper provides insight into the nascent evolution of blockchain for real estate investment, the realities of its limited application and the opportunities for its future role within a real estate sector increasingly influenced by technologies. Originality/value - The research highlights the novel development and use of blockchain for real estate, reflecting systematically on companies in the USA at the vanguard of its adoption.