Crypto continues to seep into the real world as a high-end luxury home developer in Florida recently announced support for digital asset payments.
Pearl Homes will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and most major cryptocurrencies for payment at its new Gulf Coast waterfront development, marking yet another step for broader crypto adoption.
Florida is hardly the only state to allow crypto for house payments as New York, Colorado and Texas have all experimented with digital currencies and real estate.
Streamlining crypto transactions in real estate
Pearl Homes and RealOpen have partnered to enable the initiative at Hunters Point, a waterfront community in Cortez, Florida.
Pearl Homes is a developer specializing in eco-conscious luxury housing, while RealOpen operates a platform that facilitates crypto offramp services in real estate.
Through RealOpen’s platform, cryptocurrency payments are instantly converted to U.S. dollars, allowing Pearl Homes to receive full settlements in fiat currencies. According to Andy Abramson, a spokesperson for Pearl Homes, this method eliminates mortgage financing, streamlining transactions.
The 86-unit development, built 16 feet above sea level, integrates solar panels, Sonnen battery systems, and hurricane-resilient construction to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
Average homes in the community are valued at approximately $1.35 million, featuring 3,480 square feet of living space, private elevators, and high-end finishes. Two turnkey listings, priced at $1.35 million and $1.4 million, are currently available on the platform as move-in ready, including furnishings.
“Sustainability and innovation drive everything we do,” says Marshall Gobuty, Pearl Homes’ founder and CEO. “By accepting crypto, we open doors for forward‑thinking homeowners who value both green technology and digital currency.”
It is somewhat ironic that Pearl Homes chose to allow Bitcoin payments for their eco-friendly homes when Bitcoin consumes more electricity than any other crypto. That said, Bitcoin remains the most popular cryptocurrency and RealOpen also supports low-energy cryptos like Ethereum and Solana as a potential alternative.
Interestingly AI may consume more electricity than Bitcoin by the end of the year, according to some reports.
Crypto payments gain momentum in U.S. real estate
Other firms in the U.S. are also exploring crypto rails as a form of payment.
Bitcoin ATM company ByteFederal recently launched a program in Florida that allows buyers to pay security deposits and closing costs entirely or partially in Bitcoin.
To do this, the company generates a QR code for each transaction, converts received Bitcoin to USD in real-time, and delivers fiat directly to escrow or title companies.
Targeting new-construction listings through its partnership with New Estate Only (NEO), ByteFederal taps NEO’s MLS-style platform, which covers single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and high-rises in Florida and Texas.
To further streamline cross-border transactions, ByteFederal collaborated with OPISAS (Overseas Property Investment Sales and Services), allowing international investors to purchase U.S. real estate with cryptocurrency while mitigating sellers’ exposure to Bitcoin’s price volatility.
With 15 money-transmitter licenses, Bitcoin ATMs, ByteWallet, and the upcoming custodial wallet, ByteFederal positions itself for broader adoption, especially as regulators consider integrating digital assets into mortgage underwriting.
Bitcoin hit an all-time high last month, in part thanks to positive legislation for crypto in congress.
