Main Points:
- Broader Crypto Acceptance: Open House Group, a leading Japanese real estate company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, has expanded its crypto payment options to include Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), and XRP, joining Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to make a total of five supported digital assets.
- Global Portal Upgrade: The company’s global portal, Open House Global, now offers multilingual support—including English and Traditional Chinese—facilitating smoother property transactions for overseas investors.
- Enhanced Competitiveness: By incorporating crypto payments, Open House Group aims to meet the growing demand from international clients and leverage the expanding use of digital assets, thereby differentiating its services in the competitive real estate market.
- Industry Transformation: This move represents a broader trend in real estate toward blockchain-based transactions, which can streamline everything from property search and purchase to management and resale.
1. Introduction
Open House Group, one of Japan’s premier real estate companies, announced on March 21, 2025, that it will begin accepting cryptocurrency payments for property transactions via its global portal, Open House Global. This development adds Dogecoin (DOGE), Solana (SOL), and XRP to the list of supported cryptocurrencies, alongside the already accepted Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). With this update, a total of five digital assets can now be used to settle real estate transactions, broadening the scope for both domestic and international buyers.
2. Expanded Crypto Payment Options for Real Estate
As part of its ongoing effort to innovate and meet the evolving needs of a global clientele, Open House Group has rolled out crypto payment support for DOGE, SOL, and XRP. This new payment method is available through the company’s global portal, which has been upgraded to include not only an English version but also a Traditional Chinese version. This multilingual interface ensures that overseas investors can seamlessly browse, purchase, manage, and eventually resell properties in Japan while complying with their respective legal requirements.
3. Enhancing Competitiveness in the Real Estate Market
The expansion into crypto payments is a strategic response to the rising global demand for digital asset transactions. With an increasing number of investors looking to leverage cryptocurrencies as a means to invest in real estate, Open House Group is positioning itself at the forefront of this trend. The move is expected to boost the company’s competitiveness by:
- Attracting Global Investors: Providing an alternative payment method that appeals to international buyers who are familiar with digital assets.
- Differentiating Services: Setting itself apart in the Japanese real estate market by embracing innovative blockchain technologies.
- Streamlining Transactions: Enabling faster and more secure payment processing through decentralized ledger technology, which can reduce the administrative burden and enhance transparency.
The company’s decision to expand its crypto payment options reflects the broader growth in digital asset usage, as evidenced by Japan’s substantial cryptocurrency user base and significant deposit volumes reported at the end of January 2025.
4. The Impact of Crypto on Real Estate Transactions
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are increasingly transforming the real estate industry. Open House Group’s proactive measures in this area build on its previous initiatives, such as supporting the domestic community for Bitcoin’s Lightning Network in 2022. This latest expansion is part of a larger movement in the sector where digital assets are used not only for large-scale investments but also for everyday transactions. The benefits of adopting crypto payments include:
- Faster Settlements: Transactions using blockchain technology can be completed more swiftly than traditional methods.
- Lower Costs: Reduced reliance on intermediaries can lower transaction fees.
- Increased Transparency: The immutable nature of blockchain records helps ensure the integrity and traceability of transactions.
- Enhanced Global Reach: Multilingual portals and digital payment methods remove barriers for international investors, potentially increasing cross-border real estate investments.
A notable example of cryptocurrency use in real estate is the sale of a high-end penthouse in Miami for US$22 million in 2021, which was conducted entirely using digital assets. Such high-profile transactions underscore the transformative potential of crypto in this traditionally conservative market.
5. Conclusion
Open House Group’s expansion of crypto payment options to include Dogecoin, Solana, and XRP marks a significant milestone in the real estate industry’s embrace of digital assets. By enabling payments in five different cryptocurrencies, the company not only enhances convenience for global investors but also positions itself as a leader in integrating cutting-edge blockchain technologies into property transactions. This forward-thinking approach is likely to attract further overseas investment and set a new standard in the real estate market, paving the way for a future where blockchain-driven processes become the norm.
As the industry continues to evolve, the successful adoption of crypto payments could lead to increased efficiency, lower costs, and greater transparency in real estate transactions. Open House Group’s initiatives offer a promising glimpse into the future of property trading in a digital economy.
