iFunded is the first real estate investment platform in Europe to accept cryptocurrencies as payment methods
Berlin, 03 April 2019 – iFunded is the first real estate investment platform in Europe where investors can invest in real estate not only in EUR but also in cryptocurrencies. With currently more than 100 billion euros of capital being converted in cryptocurrencies, iFunded is opening up to this large circle of potential investors. With the acceptance of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, international investors can now easily invest in German real estate projects.
Crypto investors open large potential
Bitcoin alone has a market capitalization of around 64 billion EUR. With Ether, it is a further 13 billion EUR. This underlines the resulting potential for iFunded. “Our platform is now also interesting for owners of cryptocurrencies who want to leave this market because of the strong fluctuations at Bitcoin and Co. Real estate investments with iFunded are not affected by fluctuations and the investor receives a fixed interest rate,” says Michael Stephan, founder and managing director of iEstate, the operator of iFunded.
The first step of blockchain integration
“The acceptance of Bitcoin and Ether as payment methods is the first step in the integration of blockchain technology on our platform,” says Stephan. The next step is to offer regulatory approved Security Token Offerings (STO’s). With STO’s, real estate developers can reach an extended circle of investors.
In the future, securities transactions via blockchain will also be possible
“In the real estate business, there are still many middlemen who cause additional costs and are no longer necessary due to the blockchain. This makes the process more cost-efficient. Our goal is to also use the blockchain for security transactions”, says Stephan. The detailed plans can be found in the Whitepaper, which can be requested at www.iEstate.de.
Investing in real estate with Bitcoin and Ether
By accepting cryptocurrencies as means of payment, investors can now invest their capital in real estate on iFunded with Bitcoin and Ether. As soon as the investor reaches the payment method selection, he can thus choose whether to pay with Euro, Bitcoin or Ether.
Protection against money laundering
As with payment in euros, investors must verify their identity when paying with cryptocurrencies and go through the so-called “know-your-customer” process at iFunded. In addition, a strict compliance framework is added, using industry-standardized tools and guidelines parallel to the practices of financial service providers. This ensures that the transferred coins do not originate from illegal transactions.
“In many investment opportunities with crypto currencies, the investor remains anonymous. In order to prevent money laundering and because iFunded attaches great importance to transparency, we identify every single investor, even if he or she invests in crypto currencies,” says Stephan.
First investment opportunity already live
ERFURT PORTFOLIO 1 is the first project in which investors have been able to invest in crypto currencies since 1 April 2019. It is a portfolio of residential and commercial properties in Erfurt and the surrounding area. Investors receive an annual interest of 5.5%, which is paid semi-annually. More than 50% of the project has already been financed.
About iFunded:
iFunded is a Berlin-based digital real estate investment platform using state-of-the-art blockchain technology to make global real estate investments easily accessible, transparent, tradable and affordable for institutional and private investors. iEstate GmbH operating the www.ifunded.de platform was founded in 2015 and is backed by Creathor Ventures, a leading German venture capital firm. iFunded recently raised 4 million EUR in a pre-Series A financing round.
iEstate GmbH has a license as a financial investment broker according to § 34f paragraph 1 no. 1-3 GewO as well as § 34c GewO. iEstate Securities GmbH, a 100 % subsidiary provides investment brokerage and structuring of securities and acts as a “tied agent” within the meaning of Section 2 (10) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) for the account and under the liability of NFS Netfonds Financial Service GmbH, a Hamburg based bank.
Press contact
iFunded by iEstate GmbH
Uhlandstraße 175
10719 Berlin
info@ifunded.de
www.ifunded.de
Tel.: +49 (0)30 – 555 728 550