A security token offering of STO is a unique token issued on either a permissioned or a permissionless blockchain. The token represents a stake in an external enterprise or asset. A number of entities such as the government as well as businesses can issue security tokens that tend to serve the same purpose as bonds, stocks, and other equities. In recent times, STO Blockchain has been readily associated with the real estate industry. Let us now understand STO Blockchain in the real estate industry in detail and how it brings about an improvement in the market.
Concept of Real Estate Tokenization
Tokenization of real estate is the method of representing a fractional ownership interest in an asset with a security token based on blockchain. Here the asset can be a security asset or utility asset. Tokenization of real estate involves the creation of tokens on the Blockchain network and assigning them to assets in the real estate market that are already existing or are presently under construction. Tokenization plays a significant role in helping the asset or fund owners efficiently raise capital by issuing tokens via blockchain platforms.
In addition to being used for the purpose of raising capital towards development investments, these tokens can also denote an interest in the real estate market, thereby allowing a broader range of developers as well as investors to participate in the real estate market. These security tokens can be bought by other investors, where tokens represent a specific amount of shares for some assets in the real estate field. Now, the investors become the partial owners of that particular asset, which provides the investors unique access to private real estate investments, with complete transparency as well as liquidity.
Different Types of Real Estate Tokenization
Real estate tokenization on a blockchain is usually classified into four types based on the type of assets.
- Residential Real Estate Tokenization
- Commercial Real Estate Tokenization
- Trophy Real Estate Tokenization
- Single Real Estate Tokenization
Process of Tokenizing Real Estate
The procedure for real estate STO blockchain can be done in the three steps described below.
- The first step to follow for the purpose of tokenizing a house, property, or any commercial place is to find an appropriately regulated blockchain platform that possesses the rights to store ownership onto their tokens via the proper authorities.
- In the next step, it is to be made sure that the platform also offers the owner the function of transferring those rights to anyone and transferring the entire ownership to someone else in an authorized way.
- Tokenization of real estate is a way of exchange similar to any other type of security, where the owner needs to exchange the token for a certain value so that each of the assets can get their proper value represented in the tokens.
- The entire process of tokenizing real estate is not quite complicated but there might be a few obstacles in the path. Hence, it is recommended to get in touch with an expert before proceeding with the same.
Working Process of Real Estate Tokenization
The process of tokenization helps divide the value of assets in the real estate market into shares or tokens. These tokens denote a predefined share of the underlying asset and they are referred to as security tokens. They can be easily traded at any time and are kept on a digital wallet. The tokenized assets are very securely issued, traded, and settled via a distributed ledger. The technology of distributed ledger existed for about a decade but its true potential in leveraging property management has been brought to light very recently. Distributed ledger technology uses smart contracts for the purpose of validating the ownership of an asset.
The technology’s consensus mechanism offers top-notch cyber security measures for both the issuers as well as investors. Legal complexity is one of the major challenges of launching an STO Blockchain in real estate. In this regard, it is recommended that the issuers seek professional help from an expert in this field since all the legalities need to be met and complied with. Seeking professional help would not only be making the entire process smooth and hassle-free but also avoid costly legal mistakes.
Benefits of STO Blockchain in Real Estate
STO Blockchain in real estate comes with a wide range of benefits that are discussed below.
Offers the Highest Level of Security
STO Blockchain in real estate not only makes the transactions secure but also makes them completely transparent. It has been observed that new technologies are questioned for security but tokenization makes sure to use the highest level of security based on the two following things.
Tokens – They help in promoting security since the investment is digitally assigned to an investor and remains with the investor till the time it is refunded or sold to another person.
Blockchain – Implementation of blockchain technology makes the security even tighter.
The data so transmitted is both accessible as well as inaccessible to the ones outside the network which is possible with the help of cryptographic algorithms. The key lies in the fact that the data is decentralized. There is no copying or reversal of the code, and nodes are capable of identifying any attempts to change this code and prevent it from executing. Moreover, data is recorded in a number of places simultaneously, the door for distributed accounting technologies opens up.
Now, the open systems will help create an entirely transparent register for real estate. The entire data associated with resources is available to everyone.Additionally, the investment is much safer since smart contracts reduce the requirement for the exchange of various documents between each of the parties involved. Most importantly, the paperwork associated with the entire process of completion of a contract is readily simplified because of tokenization. A smart contract is electronically signed which makes it irreversible, hence its content cannot be changed.
Immense Flexibility
Tokenization in real estate offers immense flexibility to investors. Anyone can invest a certain amount and possess partial ownership of an asset in the real estate market along with obtaining benefit from the potential profits. Moreover, these tokens can be very easily and conveniently bought as well as sold on secondary markets. The owner of the asset can also sell a part of their assets by issuing tokens. These tokens can be very easily exchanged similar to stocks, with their value oscillating depending on the changing price of the asset. Tokenization certainly offers an advantage over crowdfunding since it allows investors to have instantaneous digital ownership as well as the freedom to sell at any point in time.
Easy and Speedy Investment
Limiting any kind of unnecessary expenditures by staying within the legal framework is undoubtedly the most effective optimization option for any kind of activity. Blockchain technology plays a crucial role in enabling the same by the removal of barriers such as bank fees, notary fees, etc. Paying via cryptocurrency helps get over these barriers appropriately. This, in turn, results in enhancing the returns of the investors and at the same time compressing the process of raising capital where the entity manages the investment, thereby streamlining the entire process.
At the time when investments are made with tokens, it readily reduces costs. At the same time, tokens provide greater freedom as the investor can buy a share in real estate and profit from it at any time. The entire process is automated and does not require any kind of unnecessary formalities, thereby making it speedy. The right to an asset in the real estate market can be acquired through the purchase of a token that does not require any kind of changes to the records of real estate.
Geographical Barriers are Eliminated
STO Blockchain in real estate helps in the elimination of geographical barriers. Thus, investors regardless of their location can purchase an asset in any part of the world. The investors can benefit from participating in the same and enjoy profits from various housing estates, resorts, commercial property, or any other irrespective of the time as well as their location.
Entry Barrier is Lower
Investing in real estate is always associated with huge sums of money. The high entry amount in real estate investment is precisely the reason why a considerable volume of investors stays away from it. But with the help of tokenization, there is no need to purchase an entire property. Any of the properties can be divided into several thousands of tokens. So, all that an investor requires to do is to purchase only a single token. As a result of asset tokenization, the investors can very easily participate in a smaller shareholding structure which is similar to distributed investing. Therefore, tokenization eliminates millions of dollars of investment and can be done with only a few dollars of investment in purchasing a part of any asset in the real estate market. This, in turn, results in a lower entry barrier for investors with lower capital.
Diversification is Higher
Tokenization of assets in real estate plays a significant role in diversifying the investment strategies as well as assets. With a lower entry amount, investors can buy a number of assets in the real estate market in parts instead of buying only one. It results in the diversification of their investment wallet as well as their sources of revenue.
Elimination of Middlemen
STO Blockchain in real estate helps liquidate the secondary real estate market. Hence, the need to deal with formal barriers like bank charges, notarial deeds, and similar others is eliminated. Moreover, blockchain helps eliminate middlemen like agents, lawyers, etc., and reduces deposit fees. Most importantly, it works 24*7 and investors need not worry about time while planning to invest. Also, there is no limit on the number of tokens purchased or traded by an investor.
Costs are Lowered for Investors
Tokenizing assets involves much lower costs as compared to the other methods of financing. Moreover, the investors or developers also require a way for raising capital for various projects. Stock markets and bonds have become costly, time-consuming, and complicated. Tokenization, on the other hand, provides a faster as well as cheaper method for holding assets. If any of the real estate developers happen to choose between listing assets on the stock exchange or issuing bonds, tokenization is undoubtedly a cheaper as well as simpler option.
Use Cases of Real Estate Tokenization
Let us now analyze a few of the use cases of STO Blockchain in real estate.
Raising Capital for Different Real Estate Projects – STO Blockchain in real estate is a superb source for the purpose of raising funds for property purchase, construction, expansion, or development.
Selling Existing Properties – Due to a decreased threshold for investment, the sellers can get more buyers to whom you can sell existing properties. This, in turn, enhances the profits to a great extent.
Buying Distressed Real Estate – Raising capital through tokenization for the purpose of purchasing distressed assets, enhances their value and sales to the market, thereby resulting in the delivery of great profits for both buyers as well as sellers.
Creation of a Real Estate Marketplace – Another use case of STO Blockchain in real estate is the creation of a real estate asset marketplace where one can sell several properties, allow many property owners to sell their properties, and facilitate crowd real estate investing.
Future of STO Blockchain in Real Estate
STO Blockchain has already been acclaimed as the future of investing. The growth of the global real estate investment market grew from 7.4 trillion dollars in the year 2016 to 8.5 trillion dollars in the year 2017, and then it reached 8.9 trillion dollars in the year 2018. The consistent growth of the market provides a huge scope of STO in real estate. Real estate tokenization has been the emerging trend and market experts expect it to further increase with the overall market capitalization of more than 10 trillion dollars by the end of this year.
