Crypto used to be easy to offramp in large sums. However, this is decreasingly the case.
All sorts of exchange mechanisms are now in place, most notably in the EU, and from 2026 data will be collected and shared between over 50 countries through the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF).
Banks increasingly blacklist exchanges, or only allow small sums. And if the way you obtained your crypto isn’t crystal clear, then good luck off-ramping large sums in developed markets. Banks will ask for audited reports on the provenance of your crypto and oftentimes these reports can highlight that you dealt in tainted coins in the past through no fault of your own.
Luckily, some countries are still fine with off-ramping crypto directly into real estate, or by using local intermediaries that ask less questions.
This list of 8 countries is non-exhaustive, but does mention some countries that are rarely discussed as solutions for crypto off-ramping.
I am currently in crypto paradise
I’m spending 2 months in beautiful Cambodia with my family. We are currently in Siem Reap, not too far away from the unfortunate border conflict with Thailand. It’s a charming city.
Cambodia is a veritable crypto paradise. One can buy real estate directly with crypto, one can exchange millions into cash and then deposit onto local non-CRS bank accounts (no automatic information sharing with any country except for the US)
We can also help you obtain citizenship in Cambodia, all using crypto.
So for people with a lot of crypto that they are struggling to get back into the system, this is your Southeast Asian blueprint:
– Get Cambodian citizenship (using crypto)
– Exchange millions into USD
– Get a sick pad in Phnom Penh
– Open non-CRS bank accounts
Et voilà. Freedom.
To a World of Opportunities,
The Wandering Investor.
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Transcript of “Buy Real Estate with Crypto in These 8 Countries”
LADISLAS MAURICE: Hello, Ladislas Maurice of The Wandering Investor. Today we’ll be discussing eight countries in which one can buy real estate using crypto. So everyone talks about the Dubai, and Thailand, and Bali, and Georgia of this world, but there are also other countries that are less discussed where one can buy real estate using crypto.
Buy real estate with crypto in Turkey
The first one is Turkey. So what’s fantastic about Turkey is that if you invest $400,000 in any real estate in Turkey, you will be able to apply for the Turkish citizenship by investment program. Which means that within a year of buying your real estate in Turkey, you, your spouse and your underage children should get Turkish citizenship. So it means a passport. And it’s possible to do this using crypto.
The way it works is that you go to Istanbul, you meet with our partners on the ground, you go to some specific crypto exchange offices, you exchange your crypto, you take your $400,000 and then go deposit that physically in a bank. And then you can use this money to make the local investments. And if you just want to invest 200,000, that gets you residency in Turkey.
And overall, real estate in Istanbul and in Izmir, one of the largest cities in Turkey, is quite affordable. The yields are decent. You can expect gross yields of between 5 to 7%, which for prime international real estate is actually quite competitive from a yield point of view. You just need to be comfortable with some of the political, geopolitical, and earthquake risks.
Buy real estate with crypto in Paraguay
Number two is Paraguay, between Argentina and Brazil. The place is absolutely booming. And you can get some really nice real estate that’s quite affordable. So, for example, you can get a nice one-bedroom apartment in the best neighborhoods of the city with a rooftop swimming pool, etc. for between $70 and $90,000. So that’s really attractive.
The net rental yields are not too bad. You can expect between 4 to 6%. And it is possible to buy with crypto. Some developers accept crypto directly, and then for other transactions, you can exchange locally. Our partners can help you with this, and then you can choose whichever real estate you want.
Buy real estate with crypto in Cambodia
Number three is Cambodia. Cambodia is absolute crypto paradise. Anything goes. A lot of developers accept crypto payments directly. And then for the others, you can go exchange as well millions and get in cash, and then you can buy any real estate in the country. If it’s condos, directly in your name. If it’s land in homes, you’ll just need to add a local trust in between you and the property, and it’s fine.
So Cambodia is absolute crypto paradise for people that want this. One of the advantages as well is that when you have real estate there, then it’s very easy as well to obtain a local bank account to collect your rental income. And Cambodia has not signed up to CRS, so it does not automatically share your banking information with other countries. So from a privacy point of view, it’s absolutely top-notch.
Real estate there is affordable compared to other Asian capital cities, but overall rental yields are quite low.
Buy real estate with crypto in El Salvador
Number four is El Salvador. So everyone has heard of the Bitcoin experience. Recently due to an IMF bailout, Bitcoin was removed as legal tender in El Salvador, but it’s still very much possible to buy pretty much anything using crypto in El Salvador. Though it’s not legal tender, it’s accepted in many places, and especially in real estate transactions.
So if you buy in El Salvador, it’s mostly a lifestyle play. Real estate is not cheap, rental yields are not that great, but it’s a great lifestyle for those that want that and especially for people who like to surf. There are some really cute beachfront properties, amazing right on the beach, and you can go surfing every day and it’s close to the US.
Buy real estate with crypto in Montenegro
Number five is Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea, just south Croatia and across from Italy. Beautiful little country of 600,000 souls. The country is expected to join the European Union in the next few years, so most likely the real estate market will be strong for a while.
Rental yields are not too bad either. You can get 4 to 5% net. But to buy real estate using crypto, it’s not done directly. You can open an account with a local exchange that has a deal with a local bank. They’ll convert your money, transfer it to a bank account, and then you can purchase any property in Montenegro on the open market. So it’s not a cheap option, but it works.
Buy real estate with crypto in Panama
Number six is Panama. A few local developers accept crypto directly, as well as quite a few sellers. So if you have a good realtor, he can help you find sellers that would accept crypto, and it’s increasingly common as well. So there’s a fair amount of stock available in Panama if all you have is crypto.
Panama real estate is now not particularly expensive. It used to be expensive a decade ago, but prices have been flat for a decade, and now compared to other capital cities around the world, it’s actually very fairly priced. But just don’t expect fantastic rental returns after taking into account HOA, maintenance, property management, etc. Generally, you can land around 3% net per year. But Panama is also a great place to get residency.
Buy real estate with crypto in Kenya
Number seven is Kenya. Kenyan assets are booming right now. The city of Nairobi is expected to double in population by 2050, 2060. So there’s a lot of demographic pressure. You can get one-bedroom apartments in the best neighborhoods of the city for $70, $80,000, also with rooftop swimming pools or indoor heated swimming pools. There’s a lot of value to be found in Nairobi, and the rental yields are quite high as well after management, etc. You can expect close to 7% net.
So for people that are a bit more comfortable with Africa risk, Nairobi is a great option. You can buy real estate on the ground using crypto. Our partners can help with the process.
Buy real estate in crypto in Mexico
Number eight is Mexico. This one is a little harder. The way it works is you send your crypto to a specific exchange in the Caribbean, and then they send the funds to the notary public in Mexico. It works, it’s not particularly cheap. You’re looking at 4, 4 and a half percent fees, but if you’re looking for lifestyle property in Mexico, this could do the job.
Generally speaking, the market in Mexico is not particularly interesting right now for rental yields. I would say that it’s more of a lifestyle play.
How to get in touch with our partners to buy real estate with crypto
In each of these countries, we have partners on the ground that can help you with the whole process from A to Z. Their contact information is in the description below. And as well, in each of these countries, we wrote a full real estate investor guide to understand the neighborhoods that are interesting, the neighborhoods that are not so interesting, things to know before investing in these countries, as well as the latest market dynamics. There are links below in the description with real estate investor guides.
Make sure to download my free e-book, 12 Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in International Real Estate, which you can find on my website, link below, and feel free to follow me on Instagram @thewanderinginvestor. I look forward to hearing from you.
