RelayA Swiss bitcoin exchange, has revealed to bitcoin Magazine that a staggering 75% of its over-the-counter (OTC) revenue in the final quarter of 2023 came from private clients diverting revenue from real estate sales into bitcoin, which shows a seismic change. in investment strategies among investors.
The rise is a response to the turmoil in the real estate market, which is forcing investors to direct their portfolios towards the best opportunities that bitcoin presents. Leon Wankum, a bitcoin expert specializing in real estate, explained: “bitcoin, as an emerging asset class, potentially offers much greater growth potential for many investors, while the real estate market is in crisis and demand has decreased.”
The trend is not just limited to the real estate sector, says Relai. bitcoin is rapidly diverting capital from traditional assets like stocks and bonds, and experts predict a similar migration once bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) gain regulatory approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. .
Relai's over 100% year-over-year OTC volume increase underscores this transition. In particular, high net worth individuals and companies are driving this increase, with monthly volumes across Relai Private and Relai Business increasing by 30% during the third quarter of 2023.
“If this trend continues, we can expect to see a substantial increase in the market capitalization and price of bitcoin in the coming months and years,” said Relai CEO and co-founder Julian Liniger. “Relai is committed to providing investors with the tools and resources they need to navigate this evolving market. We are seeing growing demand for our services and are investing in our platform to meet this demand.”
The real estate sector's shift to bitcoin is particularly pronounced in Switzerland, where awareness of bitcoin's distinctive properties is steadily increasing. Leon A. Wankum, also Director of bitcoin Strategy at oneVest Developments, explained how easy it can be for investors to convert their real estate equity into bitcoin, stating: “The process is much easier and faster than most people think. believe, with a “With a service like Relai, a transaction of this type can take as little as a day.”
The migration of investment capital from real estate to bitcoin represents a potentially monumental shift in financial paradigms. As this trend gains momentum, the bitcoin industry is preparing in anticipation of wealth from traditional asset classes shifting to bitcoin.