Merchant Bankers Launches Bitcoin Real Estate Settlement Service to Attract Overseas Investors

Japanese investment firm Merchant Bankers (MBK Co., Ltd.) announced on September 22 the launch of a Bitcoin-based real estate settlement service, aimed at streamlining cross-border property transactions for international investors. Trading of MBK shares resumed on September 24 after a national holiday, and the stock price reflected strong investor interest. Shares opened at ¥278, surged to an intraday peak of ¥319, and closed at ¥281, marking a modest but notable gain of about 1.44%.

The new service allows overseas buyers to transfer the Bitcoin equivalent of property payments to a wallet managed by a licensed crypto exchange. In turn, MBK remits the agreed yen amount directly to the seller. This synchronized settlement system helps avoid delays common in traditional international wire transfers, offering buyers and sellers a faster, more efficient process.

The framework has been developed in collaboration with regulated exchange partners, drawing from MBK’s experience with BTC Box and Estonia’s Angoo Fintech. The rollout will target two channels: Japanese real estate brokers serving foreign clients and MBK’s overseas subsidiaries, including MBK ASIA LIMITED in Hong Kong and Estonian Japan Trading Company AS, which will connect with international investors seeking Japanese properties.

Merchant Bankers has no plans yet to hold Bitcoin as a corporate reserve but is evaluating strategies for managing any cryptocurrency received through the platform. Notably, the company intends to list its 19 urban properties, valued at around ¥8.2 billion ($56 million), for overseas buyers. These assets currently generate about ¥700 million ($4.7 million) in annual rental income, delivering mid–single-digit yields.

Regulatory compliance remains a key factor for adoption. Oversight by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) and adherence to anti-money laundering protocols will shape the long-term viability of crypto-based property settlements in Japan. Globally, real estate transactions using cryptocurrency are still rare, but MBK’s initiative positions it at the forefront of integrating blockchain and digital assets into the property market, catering to rising demand for innovative cross-border investment solutions.