The explosive growth of the cryptocurrency market over the past decade has created a new class of ultra-wealthy individuals—digital natives who turned early blockchain bets into billion-dollar fortunes. Unlike traditional financiers, many of these crypto pioneers are young, bold, and unapologetic about showcasing their success. One of the most visible symbols of that success? Multi-million-dollar luxury real estate.
From Italian coastal villas to sprawling estates in Los Angeles and historic mansions in Australia, crypto billionaires are reshaping high-end property markets around the world. These homes aren’t just about opulence—they reflect values like privacy, security, and cutting-edge technology, all tailored to the lifestyles of those who live on-chain.
Between 2020 and 2025, global luxury real estate experienced a surge driven by pandemic-era demand for secluded, secure properties with smart infrastructure. Crypto moguls capitalized on this trend, snapping up some of the most exclusive residences on Earth. Let’s explore the jaw-dropping mansions owned—or once owned—by key figures in the crypto space.
EOS Founder BB: A $172.8 Million Italian Villa on the Emerald Coast
Brendan Blumer, CEO of Block.one and co-founder of Bullish, made headlines in March 2025 when he purchased Villa Romazzino on Sardinia’s famed Costa Smeralda for a record-breaking €160 million (approximately $172.8 million). This transaction ranks among the most expensive residential property sales in Italian history.
Once owned by Ahmed Zaki Yamani, the former Saudi oil minister, this palatial estate spans 2.3 hectares and boasts 350 meters of private coastline. The villa features 28 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, three swimming pools, two private piers, two secluded beach access points, and nearly 23,000 square meters of landscaped gardens and amenities.
Situated in one of Europe’s most elite enclaves, the home blends Mediterranean elegance with fortress-like privacy—perfect for a blockchain executive whose wealth exists largely in decentralized systems but demands physical-world security.
👉 Discover how crypto wealth is transforming luxury real estate markets worldwide.
“Machi Brother” Huang Li-Cheng: $25 Million LA Hillside Mansion
Taiwanese rapper-turned-entrepreneur Huang Li-Cheng, better known as “Machi Brother,” entered the crypto scene in 2017 with Mithril and quickly became a major player in the NFT space. As an early holder and active trader of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) NFTs, his moves often influence floor prices and market sentiment.
In June 2023, Huang acquired a 14,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles’ exclusive Bird Streets neighborhood for $25 million—significantly below its original $34 million listing price. The modern villa includes five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, marble bar, and a full-scale fitness center.
This hillside retreat places him among an elite circle of neighbors, including tech titans and luxury brand CEOs. It exemplifies how crypto entrepreneurs are integrating into traditional power hubs through strategic real estate investments.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: $133 Million Los Angeles Estate
Brian Armstrong, co-founder and CEO of Coinbase—one of the largest regulated crypto exchanges in the U.S.—purchased one of Los Angeles’ most expensive homes at 10671 Chalon Road for $133 million. Originally bought by Japanese entrepreneur Hideki Tomita for $85 million in 2018, the property’s resale marked one of LA’s priciest single-family home transactions ever.
Designed by renowned British minimalist architect John Pawson, the estate features a “stacked cube” aesthetic with expansive glass walls and warm oak interiors. The main residence covers 19,000 square feet, complemented by a 6,600-square-foot guesthouse. Together, they offer at least 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms.
Amenities include a tennis court, dual swimming pools, a car gallery, home theater, spa, and gym—all nestled across nearly five acres of secluded land in Bel Air. For Armstrong, this isn’t just a home; it’s a statement of stability in an otherwise volatile industry.
👉 See how top crypto leaders turn digital gains into tangible legacy assets.
SBF’s $240 Million Real Estate Spree: A Cautionary Tale
Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), former CEO of FTX, once epitomized rapid crypto ascent—until his empire collapsed in late 2022. During FTX’s peak, SBF spent over $240 million acquiring more than 30 luxury properties in the Bahamas between 2020 and 2022.
Among them was the $30 million Albany Orchid Penthouse, a 11,500-square-foot sky villa with six bedrooms and panoramic ocean views. Designed with Venetian plaster walls, Italian marble finishes, and German-engineered windows, it featured a fully automated smart home system and a coded private elevator.
SBF shared the penthouse with key FTX executives before the exchange’s downfall. After bankruptcy proceedings began, creditors revealed that client funds were misused to finance these purchases. By 2023, many properties were sold at steep discounts to repay debts—a stark reminder of hubris in the decentralized age.
Curve CEO Michael Egorov: Dual $59.25 Million Mansions in Melbourne
Michael Egorov, co-founder and CEO of Curve Finance—one of Ethereum’s leading decentralized stablecoin exchanges—maintains a low public profile but made waves in Australia’s luxury market. In May 2023, his partner Anna Egorova purchased Avon Court, a historic Victorian mansion in Melbourne’s Toorak district, for AUD 41 million (~USD 27 million).
Built in 1890 and spanning 4,251 square meters, Avon Court features nine bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two pools, a steam room, gym, playground, mini soccer field, six kitchens, and an underground garage for ten cars. The couple already owned the adjacent Italianate villa Verona, bought in 2022 for AUD 18.25 million (~USD 12 million).
Together, their combined landholding totals 5,663 square meters—one of the largest private residential footprints in Melbourne. Their acquisition highlights how DeFi founders are quietly amassing real-world assets despite advocating for decentralization.
Huobi Founder Li Lin: A HK$1 Billion+ Hong Kong Compound
Li Lin, founder of Huobi Global (now under Justin Sun), exited the exchange scene but remains influential. In August 2023, he secured a long-term lease-to-own agreement for a luxury courtyard villa at Ti Wai on Kowloon Peak—a rare large-format residential compound.
The deal allows him to rent the property for 90 months (7.5 years) with an option to buy at **HK$1 billion** (~USD 128 million). With a usable area of 11,692 square feet, that equates to approximately HK$85,529 per square foot—potentially setting a new benchmark for九龙 (Kowloon) mansion pricing.
This hybrid financial structure reflects both caution and ambition: locking in future ownership without immediate liquidity strain—a strategy increasingly common among crypto entrepreneurs navigating market cycles.
Why Crypto Elites Are Investing in Real Estate
Luxury homes serve more than personal comfort—they’re strategic assets that signal permanence in an industry defined by disruption. Key motivations include:
- Wealth diversification: Moving value from volatile tokens to tangible assets.
- Privacy & security: Gated compounds with surveillance tech align with digital safety concerns.
- Legacy building: Establishing generational wealth beyond blockchain volatility.
- Social integration: Joining elite circles where real estate equals status.
Despite market downturns post-2022, demand for top-tier properties remains strong. According to 2023 data, luxury home prices rose twice as fast as non-luxury homes globally, fueled by scarcity and investor confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are crypto billionaires still buying expensive homes after the 2022 crash?
A: Yes. While speculative spending has cooled, established figures like Armstrong and Egorov continue acquiring premium properties as long-term investments.
Q: How do crypto fortunes translate into real estate purchases?
A: Many convert part of their holdings into stablecoins or fiat during price peaks to fund purchases without triggering tax events all at once.
Q: Do these homes use blockchain or smart technology?
A: Increasingly so—many feature integrated automation systems, biometric access controls, and encrypted communication networks aligned with digital-native lifestyles.
Q: Is buying a mansion a safe move for someone with crypto wealth?
A: It can be prudent diversification. However, as SBF’s case shows, using illiquid or misappropriated funds carries serious legal and reputational risks.
Q: Which cities are most popular among crypto elites for real estate?
A: Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai, Singapore, Zurich, and Sydney lead due to favorable tax policies, privacy laws, and infrastructure for global mobility.
Q: Can you buy luxury property directly with cryptocurrency?
A: Some sellers accept Bitcoin or Ethereum via escrow services, but most transactions still convert to fiat due to regulatory requirements.
👉 Learn how to securely manage digital wealth for real-world asset acquisition.
Final Thoughts
The rise of crypto-powered mansions reflects a broader shift: digital wealth is maturing into physical influence. Whether it’s BB’s Sardinian fortress or Armstrong’s minimalist Bel Air masterpiece, these homes represent more than luxury—they’re monuments to a new financial era.
As blockchain continues to evolve, so too will the way its pioneers live. But one thing is clear: when code turns into capital, the world watches where it settles—in wallets… and in waterfront estates.