- Ethereum property deals are already happening in 2026 in markets like the UAE, Turkey, Portugal, and El Salvador — but the rules differ dramatically by country.
- Three main transaction structures exist: direct wallet-to-wallet transfers, licensed exchange conversions, and NFT-based property ownership — each with different legal implications.
- Using Ethereum to pay for property triggers a taxable event in most jurisdictions, meaning capital gains tax may apply the moment you transfer ETH to a seller.
- Price volatility is the biggest practical risk — ETH can move 10–20% in a single day, which can unravel a deal unless the contract fixes the price in fiat currency.
- Want to know which countries let you pay in ETH directly without converting it first? The answer might surprise you — and one of them requires zero capital gains tax on crypto profits.
Ethereum is no longer just a trading asset — it’s being used to close real estate deals worth millions of dollars right now.
As crypto wealth has grown, so has the pressure to spend it on hard assets without converting everything back to fiat first. Real estate is the obvious destination. It’s a high-value, tangible asset that holds its worth — and increasingly, sellers in the right markets are willing to accept ETH directly. Astons, a global citizenship and real estate advisory firm, has been at the center of this shift, helping buyers navigate the legal and logistical complexity of crypto-funded property transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
But Ethereum payments in real estate aren’t as simple as sending a transfer and collecting the keys. The mechanics, the legality, and the risks all depend heavily on where you’re buying, how the deal is structured, and what the local tax authority considers a taxable event.
Ethereum Is Already Being Used to Buy Real Estate in 2026
The first recorded NFT-based property sale happened in Kyiv in 2017 — an apartment sold for 36 ETH via auction. That was the proof of concept. What’s happened since is a slow but accelerating shift toward crypto becoming a legitimate settlement layer for high-value real estate transactions globally.
In 2026, Ethereum sits alongside Bitcoin and USDT as one of the most commonly used cryptocurrencies in property deals. Its smart contract capability gives it an edge in more complex transactions, particularly NFT-based deals and tokenized property structures. The markets where this is happening most actively include the UAE, Portugal, Turkey, El Salvador, and Estonia — each with different legal frameworks but a shared appetite for crypto-funded real estate.
Institutional interest is accelerating this further. As crypto liquidity has grown, buyers holding significant ETH positions are looking for ways to deploy capital into real assets without triggering unnecessary conversion costs or tax events. Real estate is the natural answer — and the industry is adapting to meet that demand.
How Ethereum Payments Actually Work in a Property Deal
There’s no single method. How Ethereum changes hands in a property transaction depends on the country, the seller’s preference, and the legal framework governing the deal. In practice, three distinct structures have emerged — and understanding which one applies to your situation is the first decision you need to make. For those considering how Bitcoin’s viability might compare, exploring similar frameworks in other sectors could provide valuable insights.
Direct Wallet-to-Wallet Transfer Between Buyer and Seller
This is the cleanest structure and the one most buyers hope for. The buyer and seller agree on a price, fix the ETH equivalent at a specific exchange rate and timestamp, and execute the transfer directly between wallets. A notary certifies the agreement, and in some jurisdictions — like Estonia and the UAE — the wallet address can be entered directly into the land register, with ownership confirmed after a set number of blockchain confirmations.
Estonia, for example, updates property ownership records within one business day. The UAE has processed direct crypto-to-property transfers in designated free zones where regulators have explicitly permitted it. These markets are the exception, not the rule — but they demonstrate that the infrastructure for direct ETH transfers in real estate deals genuinely exists and functions.
Example: Direct ETH Transfer in the UAE Free Zone
Buyer and seller agree on a price of AED 2,000,000 fixed in fiat. ETH equivalent is calculated at the time of signing using a reference exchange rate (e.g., Coinbase or Kraken spot price). The buyer sends ETH to the seller’s wallet. A licensed notary in the free zone certifies the transaction. The land register is updated within 24 hours of blockchain confirmation.
Conversion Through a Licensed Intermediary
In countries like the USA, Cyprus, Germany, and Thailand, direct crypto-to-property transfers are either prohibited or not yet legally recognized. Instead, buyers must convert their ETH to fiat through a licensed exchange — platforms like Coinbase, Kraken, or Bitstamp — and then transfer the resulting euros or dollars to a notary’s escrow account. The property price is denominated in fiat throughout, and the crypto conversion is treated as a separate financial event. This is also where capital gains tax exposure typically kicks in.
NFT-Based Property Transactions
The most technically complex method involves representing property ownership as an NFT on the Ethereum blockchain. The NFT encodes the property’s legal title, and transferring it transfers ownership. This structure is still experimental in most jurisdictions and requires a legal framework that recognizes NFT transfers as valid conveyances of real property — something only a small number of countries have formalized.
What makes NFT-based deals interesting is the potential for smart contracts to automate escrow, conditional release of funds, and even fractional ownership. A buyer could theoretically co-own a property with five other ETH holders through tokenized shares, with all governance encoded in the contract. For those curious about the process, you can explore more on buying real estate with cryptocurrency. That’s not mainstream in 2026, but it’s no longer science fiction either.
Where in the World Can You Buy Real Estate With Ethereum
Geography is everything in crypto real estate. A deal that’s straightforward in Dubai could be illegal in Germany. Before committing to a purchase, you need to know exactly where your target market falls on the regulatory spectrum.
Crypto-Friendly Countries: UAE, Portugal, Turkey, and El Salvador
The UAE leads the pack. Dubai’s real estate market has been openly receptive to crypto buyers, with designated free zones and a regulatory environment built to accommodate digital asset transactions. Sellers in Dubai’s luxury market frequently list properties in BTC and ETH equivalents, and the process of closing a crypto-funded deal is well-established.
Portugal offers another compelling option — particularly because it has historically applied zero capital gains tax on crypto profits for individual investors holding assets long-term, making it one of the most tax-efficient places in the world to liquidate ETH for a property purchase. Turkey allows direct crypto payments in real estate contracts, with the notary recording the wallet address in the land register and confirming ownership after six blockchain confirmations. El Salvador, as the world’s first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, has also opened the door to ETH-denominated property transactions in practice.
Countries Where Crypto Must Be Converted First: USA, Cyprus, and Thailand
In the United States, Ethereum payments in real estate aren’t illegal, but they trigger immediate tax complexity. The IRS treats crypto as property, so spending ETH on a house is a disposal event — capital gains tax applies on any appreciation since the ETH was acquired. Most US real estate attorneys will require conversion to USD before closing, making the “direct ETH payment” structure effectively off the table in standard deals.
Cyprus and Thailand follow a similar conversion-first requirement, though Cyprus has the advantage of imposing no capital gains tax on crypto disposal — meaning the conversion step is legally straightforward even if it adds a layer of friction to the process. For more insights on purchasing property with cryptocurrency, you can explore this article on buying real estate with cryptocurrency.
The Real Pros of Using Ethereum to Buy Property
There are genuine advantages to using ETH in a real estate deal — and they go well beyond novelty. For the right buyer in the right market, Ethereum payments can be faster, cheaper, and significantly more flexible than traditional financing structures. For those interested in exploring broader crypto investment strategies, particularly for nonprofit employees, there are valuable insights available.
Transactions Settle in Minutes, Not Days
A traditional international wire transfer for a real estate purchase can take three to five business days, involve correspondent banking fees, and get held up by compliance checks at multiple points along the chain. An Ethereum transfer settles on-chain in roughly 12 to 15 seconds under normal network conditions. For a cross-border deal where timing matters — think auction deadlines, competitive offers, or currency exposure windows — that speed difference is significant.
In markets like Dubai where crypto-to-property deals are well-established, buyers have used ETH transfers to secure properties same-day, bypassing the SWIFT network entirely. The blockchain confirmation is timestamped, immutable, and verifiable by both parties instantly — which also reduces the risk of payment disputes that can complicate traditional closings. For those interested in the broader impact of cryptocurrencies, SolarCoin’s role in funding renewable projects offers a fascinating perspective on how digital currencies can influence various sectors.
No Bank Account or SWIFT Transfer Required
For international buyers, this is one of the most underrated advantages. Opening a foreign bank account to purchase property abroad can take weeks and requires extensive documentation. With Ethereum, all you need is a wallet address and a seller willing to accept it. This removes a significant structural barrier for buyers from markets where international banking access is restricted or slow — and it’s one reason why crypto-funded real estate deals are growing in emerging markets.
Cross-Border Purchases With Fewer Restrictions
Capital controls are a real obstacle for buyers in countries like China, India, and Nigeria, where regulations limit how much fiat currency can be moved across borders in a given year. Ethereum operates outside the traditional banking system, which gives buyers in capital-restricted markets a practical pathway to invest in foreign real estate — provided they’re operating within the legal framework of both their home country and the destination market.
This doesn’t mean crypto bypasses all regulations — AML and KYC requirements still apply. But it does mean that the mechanical limitation of moving large sums through a bank is no longer the bottleneck it once was. A buyer in Shanghai wanting to purchase a property in Lisbon faces fewer friction points using ETH than navigating China’s strict foreign exchange quota system.
Partial Payments and Flexible Deal Structures Are Possible
Ethereum’s programmability through smart contracts opens up deal structures that simply don’t exist in traditional real estate finance. A buyer could use ETH for the deposit and fiat for the balance, structure milestone-based payment releases tied to construction progress, or co-purchase a property with multiple ETH holders through tokenized shares — all enforced automatically through smart contract logic without requiring a third-party escrow agent.
The Real Cons You Need to Know Before Using Ethereum in Real Estate
The advantages are real, but so are the risks. Ethereum’s characteristics that make it attractive as a payment method — decentralization, volatility, and pseudonymity — are the same ones that create legal, financial, and logistical headaches in property transactions. Here’s what can go wrong and why it matters.
Price Volatility Can Shift the Deal Value Overnight
Ethereum’s price moved more than 30% in a single month multiple times between 2023 and 2025. In a real estate deal where the price is agreed in ETH terms rather than fiat, a significant price swing between contract signing and closing can dramatically alter the deal’s value for one party. A seller who agreed to accept 200 ETH for a property worth $600,000 at signing could find themselves receiving the equivalent of $480,000 at closing if ETH drops 20% — with no legal recourse if the contract was denominated in ETH. For more insights on cryptocurrency and its implications, consider exploring Bitcoin viability for retirement portfolios.
The standard industry solution is to fix the price in fiat currency at the point of contract signing and calculate the ETH equivalent using a reference exchange rate at the moment of transfer. Most experienced crypto real estate attorneys insist on this structure. But even with this protection, the window between agreement and transfer carries exposure — and not every seller or buyer understands that risk going in. For those considering cryptocurrency in their financial planning, understanding bitcoin viability for retirement portfolios can offer additional insights into managing crypto-related risks.
Not All Sellers or Jurisdictions Accept Ethereum
Even in crypto-friendly markets, ETH acceptance is far from universal. Bitcoin and USDT are generally more widely accepted by sellers and developers because of greater liquidity and familiarity. Ethereum’s association with more complex smart contract use cases means some sellers — particularly older private vendors — are less comfortable with it as a direct payment method.
At the jurisdictional level, 42 countries have introduced implicit restrictions that prohibit banks and exchanges from working with crypto assets. In these markets, an Ethereum payment in real estate is not just impractical — it may expose the buyer and seller to regulatory penalties. Nigeria, Lebanon, and Kazakhstan fall into this category, and buyers from these regions face compounded difficulty when trying to use ETH in cross-border deals.
AML Checks and Proof of Funds Are Non-Negotiable
The anonymity that crypto enthusiasts prize is precisely what regulators target. In any legitimate real estate transaction involving Ethereum, buyers should expect rigorous Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. This means providing documentation that proves the ETH was legally acquired — exchange records, tax filings, wallet history, and in some cases, a licensed accountant’s sign-off on the source of funds.
Notaries and real estate lawyers in the EU are legally required to conduct these checks under the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD). Failure to provide satisfactory proof of funds can halt a transaction entirely — and in some jurisdictions, trigger a suspicious activity report to financial authorities. Buyers who purchased ETH years ago through decentralized exchanges with limited record-keeping often find this the most difficult hurdle to clear.
Tax Events Can Be Triggered at the Point of Payment
In most jurisdictions, spending Ethereum is treated as a disposal of a capital asset — the same as selling it. The moment you transfer ETH to a seller, the tax authority calculates your gain based on the difference between your acquisition cost and the current market value. In the United States, this means short-term or long-term capital gains tax applies depending on how long you held the ETH. In the UK, HMRC applies Capital Gains Tax at the point of disposal. Germany offers a notable exception — if you’ve held your ETH for more than one year, the disposal is tax-free — but that rule requires careful documentation of acquisition dates. For those in the U.S., choosing between TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA for crypto tax filing can help ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Legal Risks That Can Derail an Ethereum Property Deal
Beyond taxes and market volatility, the legal scaffolding around an Ethereum real estate deal is thinner than most buyers expect. Traditional property transactions have centuries of legal precedent behind them. Crypto-funded deals are working within frameworks that in many cases haven’t been updated to address digital asset transfers at all.
The core issue is enforceability. If a dispute arises over a property deal where payment was made in ETH — whether over the amount transferred, the exchange rate used, or the timing of confirmation — the legal remedies available depend entirely on how the contract was drafted and what jurisdiction governs it. A poorly drafted agreement that references ETH amounts without specifying the reference exchange rate, timestamp methodology, or dispute resolution process is a liability waiting to surface. For those interested in how cryptocurrency can be integrated into real estate transactions, this guide on buying real estate with crypto offers valuable insights.
Smart contracts offer some protection by automating and immutably recording transfer conditions. But smart contracts are only as good as the code written into them — bugs, exploits, and ambiguous logic have caused significant financial losses in the DeFi space, and a smart contract governing a property transfer carries the same technical risks. Having the contract audited by a qualified blockchain developer before execution is not optional — it’s essential.
- Always fix the property price in fiat with a specific reference exchange rate and timestamp written into the contract
- Confirm that the jurisdiction recognizes ETH transfers as valid legal consideration for real property conveyance before signing anything
- Retain a lawyer who has direct experience with crypto real estate transactions — general real estate attorneys are often not equipped to handle the nuances
- Prepare proof-of-funds documentation before approaching a seller — exchange records, wallet history, and acquisition documentation should be assembled in advance
- Get any smart contract audited by an independent blockchain developer before funds are committed
- Understand your tax position before transfer — calculate the capital gain on your ETH position and set aside funds for the tax liability before closing
How Exchange Rate Volatility Is Handled in Contracts
The industry standard approach is to reference a specific exchange rate source — typically the Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance spot price — at a precisely defined timestamp written into the purchase agreement. The contract states the property price in fiat (USD, EUR, or AED), then calculates the ETH equivalent at that exact rate and moment. Any deviation between the agreed rate and the actual transfer rate at execution is handled through a true-up clause, where the buyer sends a small additional amount or the seller accepts a marginal shortfall within a pre-agreed tolerance band — usually 1 to 2 percent. For those considering tax implications, comparing TurboTax vs. FreeTaxUSA for crypto tax filing might be beneficial.
Why Jurisdiction Choice Changes Everything
Choosing the wrong jurisdiction doesn’t just complicate the deal — it can make it legally void. In Germany, for instance, direct ETH-to-property transfers have been prohibited since 2023 despite Germany being one of the first countries to formally recognize cryptocurrency as a digital currency back in 2013. A buyer who attempts a direct wallet transfer in a jurisdiction that mandates conversion through a licensed exchange isn’t just taking a legal risk — they’re potentially exposing the seller to regulatory penalties as well. Jurisdiction selection needs to happen before any other step in the process, and it should be driven by both the legal framework and the buyer’s tax position simultaneously.
Ethereum vs. Bitcoin and Stablecoins for Real Estate Payments
Bitcoin is still the most widely recognized cryptocurrency among property sellers globally, largely because it has the longest track record and the broadest name recognition outside of crypto-native circles. USDT (Tether) and USDC have gained significant ground in real estate deals specifically because their dollar peg eliminates the volatility problem entirely — what you agree to pay is what gets transferred, with no exchange rate calculation required. For sellers who are crypto-curious but volatility-averse, stablecoins are often the path of least resistance.
Ethereum sits in an interesting middle position. Its liquidity is second only to Bitcoin, and its smart contract capability gives it a structural advantage in complex deals — particularly those involving escrow automation, milestone-based payments, or tokenized ownership. The tradeoff is that ETH is more volatile than stablecoins and less universally recognized than Bitcoin by traditional sellers. In practice, buyers with large ETH holdings who want to avoid a conversion event often push for direct ETH payment, while buyers prioritizing deal simplicity lean toward USDT. The right choice depends on the deal structure, the jurisdiction, and how much volatility exposure both parties are willing to absorb.
| Crypto Asset | Volatility | Seller Acceptance | Smart Contract Capability | Best Use Case in Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum (ETH) | High | Moderate | ✓ Native | Complex deals, NFT property transfers, escrow automation |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | High | Highest | Limited | Direct peer-to-peer transfers, luxury property purchases |
| USDT / USDC | None (pegged) | Growing | ✓ Via Ethereum network | Price-stable deals, conversion-averse sellers |
What Ethereum’s Role in Real Estate Will Look Like Beyond 2026
The trajectory is clear even if the timeline isn’t. Tokenized real estate — where property ownership is represented by blockchain-based tokens rather than paper titles — is moving from pilot programs to actual market infrastructure. Several jurisdictions are actively building legal frameworks to recognize on-chain property records, and Ethereum’s smart contract architecture is the most mature platform available to support it. The logical endpoint is a property market where transfers happen on-chain, fractional ownership is liquid and tradeable, and the escrow, title insurance, and settlement layers are replaced by audited smart contracts — cutting weeks and thousands of dollars in transaction costs out of every deal.
That future isn’t here yet, and significant regulatory and legal infrastructure still needs to be built before it is. But the directional pull is strong. Institutional capital is flowing into tokenized real estate funds. Governments in the UAE, Estonia, and parts of Latin America are actively experimenting with blockchain-based land registries. As Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem matures and gas costs fall further, the friction of on-chain real estate transactions continues to decrease. Buyers who understand this trajectory — and who structure their first crypto property deals carefully — are positioning themselves ahead of a shift that will eventually become mainstream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ethereum real estate transactions raise a consistent set of questions from buyers who are new to the process. The answers depend heavily on jurisdiction, deal structure, and how well-prepared the buyer is before approaching a seller.
The most common misconception is that using Ethereum to buy property is a legal grey area everywhere. It isn’t. In several well-regulated markets, it’s a straightforward and legally recognized transaction type. The complexity arises at the edges — taxes, AML compliance, and contract drafting — not in the fundamental legality of the payment method itself.
Is It Legal to Buy Property With Ethereum in 2026?
Short answer: Yes — in many countries. But the specific legal pathway depends on where you’re buying.
In the UAE, Portugal, Turkey, El Salvador, and Estonia, direct Ethereum payments in real estate are legally recognized and processed through established frameworks. In the USA, Germany, Cyprus, and Thailand, conversion to fiat through a licensed exchange is required before the property transaction can close. In approximately 42 countries — including Nigeria, Lebanon, and Kazakhstan — banks and exchanges are prohibited from working with crypto assets, making ETH-funded real estate deals practically and legally unviable without significant structural workarounds.
It is legal to buy property with Ethereum in 2026 in a growing number of jurisdictions, but you must verify the legal framework specific to your target market before committing to a deal structure. Attempting a direct ETH transfer in a jurisdiction that mandates conversion is not just a procedural error — it can expose both buyer and seller to regulatory penalties.
The key distinction to understand is between jurisdictions that recognize ETH as valid legal consideration for a property transfer (direct payment markets) and those that only recognize fiat currency at the point of conveyance (conversion-first markets). A licensed real estate attorney with crypto transaction experience in your target jurisdiction is the only reliable way to confirm which category applies to your deal. For those interested in the broader implications of cryptocurrency in financial planning, understanding Bitcoin’s viability for retirement portfolios might provide additional insights.
Germany is a useful case study in how quickly this landscape can shift. Despite being one of the first countries in the world to formally recognize cryptocurrency as a digital currency in 2013, Germany moved to prohibit direct crypto-to-property transfers in 2023. Regulatory environments are not static, and a deal structure that was legal two years ago may no longer be compliant today.
How Is the Property Price Fixed When Paying With Ethereum?
The property price is always fixed in fiat currency first — typically the currency of the jurisdiction where the property is located. The ETH equivalent is then calculated using a reference exchange rate at a specific, contractually defined timestamp. This protects both parties from the volatility risk that comes with pricing a deal directly in ETH terms.
Standard Price-Fixing Process in an ETH Real Estate Deal:
1. Property price agreed in fiat (e.g., €500,000)
2. Reference exchange rate source specified in contract (e.g., Coinbase Pro spot price)
3. Rate snapshot timestamp defined (e.g., 24 hours before transfer)
4. ETH equivalent calculated at that rate (e.g., 500,000 ÷ €2,500/ETH = 200 ETH)
5. True-up tolerance band agreed (e.g., ±1.5% variance acceptable)
6. Transfer executed; blockchain confirmation timestamp recorded in the notarial deed
The choice of reference exchange source matters more than most buyers realize. Different exchanges report slightly different spot prices at any given moment due to liquidity differences and order book depth. Using a major, liquid exchange like Coinbase, Kraken, or Binance as the reference source minimizes the risk of a disputed rate calculation — and the contract should name the specific exchange explicitly, not just reference “the market rate.”
Some deals use a time-weighted average price (TWAP) over a 24-hour window rather than a single snapshot rate, which smooths out short-term volatility spikes. This approach is more common in larger transactions where even a 1% rate deviation represents a significant absolute dollar amount. For deals above $1 million in value, TWAP-based pricing is worth discussing with both the seller and the legal team drafting the contract.
Regardless of the methodology, the exchange rate calculation and its inputs should be documented in full as an exhibit to the purchase agreement — not left as an informal understanding between the parties. If a dispute arises later, that documentation is the only objective record of what was agreed, especially when dealing with Bitcoin regulations.
What Taxes Apply When You Buy Real Estate With Ethereum?
Spending Ethereum on real estate is treated as a disposal event in most jurisdictions, meaning capital gains tax applies on any appreciation in the ETH’s value since it was acquired. In the United States, this triggers short-term capital gains tax (ordinary income rates up to 37%) if the ETH was held under one year, or long-term capital gains tax (0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income) if held longer. In the UK, HMRC applies Capital Gains Tax at the point of disposal. Germany offers a full exemption if the ETH was held for more than one year. Portugal has historically applied a 0% rate for long-term individual holders, though tax rules there have been evolving. In all cases, the buyer’s cost basis — the original acquisition price of the ETH — determines the size of the taxable gain, making accurate record-keeping of purchase history essential from day one.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Buy Property With Ethereum?
Yes — and not just any lawyer. You need one with direct, hands-on experience in crypto real estate transactions in the specific jurisdiction where you’re buying. General real estate attorneys are often unfamiliar with the AML documentation requirements for crypto-sourced funds, the mechanics of exchange rate clauses in ETH-denominated deals, or the legal standing of smart contract-based escrow arrangements in their jurisdiction.
In EU member states, lawyers and notaries are legally required under the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD) to conduct due diligence on the source of funds in any real estate transaction — and crypto-funded deals receive heightened scrutiny. A lawyer who has navigated this process before will know exactly what documentation to prepare, how to present it to satisfy the notary’s compliance requirements, and how to structure the contract to protect both parties from volatility and enforcement risk. The cost of specialized legal counsel is not optional overhead in a crypto property deal — it’s the primary risk mitigation tool available to the buyer.
What Is the Safest Way to Transfer Ethereum for a Real Estate Purchase?
The safest structure involves a licensed escrow agent or notary holding the ETH — or more commonly, the fiat equivalent post-conversion — in a designated account until all conditions of the purchase agreement are satisfied. This mirrors the escrow process in traditional real estate deals and ensures neither party can walk away with both the property and the funds simultaneously. In jurisdictions where direct ETH transfers are permitted, some deals use smart contract-based escrow that automatically releases funds to the seller upon confirmation of title transfer — eliminating the need for a third-party escrow agent entirely, provided the smart contract has been independently audited.
For the technical execution of the transfer itself, using a hardware wallet (such as a Ledger or Trezor device) rather than an exchange-held wallet significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access during the transaction window. The buyer should verify the seller’s wallet address through multiple independent channels before initiating any transfer — address substitution fraud, where a malicious party intercepts communications and replaces the recipient’s wallet address with their own, is a documented attack vector in high-value crypto transactions.
Finally, document everything. Save the transaction hash, the block confirmation timestamp, the exchange rate at the moment of transfer, and all communications related to the wallet address verification. These records serve as the legal proof of payment in any subsequent dispute — and unlike a bank wire receipt, a blockchain transaction record is immutable and independently verifiable by any party with the transaction hash. That transparency, used correctly, is one of Ethereum’s genuine advantages in high-stakes property deals.
