Idealist Real Estate, a luxury property firm based in Dubai, has announced a new partnership with Citi Developers that will allow buyers to purchase real estate using institutional-grade cryptocurrency payment infrastructure. The technology will be delivered through Xerime DMCC, a proprietary digital asset trading company. The move positions both firms at the forefront of regulated crypto-real-estate transactions in the UAE.
The collaboration was revealed at the Blockchain Life Forum in Dubai, one of the region’s leading blockchain and digital asset gatherings. This marks the first real estate partnership of its kind to be unveiled during the event, highlighting how quickly property developers and brokers in the UAE are moving to integrate compliant digital asset solutions into their sales channels.
A new chapter for crypto in UAE real estate
Crypto-based real estate transactions have grown rapidly in Dubai over the past three years as the emirate strengthens its status as a global virtual asset hub. That growth has been backed by clear regulation through the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and government-led initiatives to build a future-ready digital economy.
Idealist Real Estate’s new partnership reflects that national strategy. Buyers will now have the option to make property payments through a regulated crypto framework rather than relying on informal or offshore platforms. According to the company, this approach aims to combine modern payment flexibility with the security and transparency required in real estate.
Xerime DMCC plays a central role in this ecosystem. Unlike many crypto payment processors, Xerime does not hold client funds or use third-party intermediaries. Instead, it uses its own capital and proprietary trading model to settle transactions. This means crypto conversions and transfers happen internally, reducing counterparty risk and allowing funds to move quickly and clearly into real estate deals.
The structure also helps eliminate a major hesitation many property buyers and developers still have when it comes to crypto adoption: custody risk. With Xerime acting as the liquidity and execution layer, clients can benefit from digital asset flexibility without exposing their holdings to external custody platforms.
Dubai’s regulated market continues to accelerate
The timing of this strategic collaboration is aligned with Dubai’s wider push to lead in digital finance. The UAE Ministry of Economy reports that digital asset trading volumes in Dubai have already surpassed AED 2.5 trillion this year. More than 1,000 institutions are licensed under VARA, making Dubai the largest regulated virtual asset jurisdiction in the world.
This shift is not only about technology adoption. It reflects a larger trend where global capital is flowing toward markets with strong regulatory clarity. The UAE’s framework gives digital asset investors confidence, and the country continues to attract major blockchain and Web3 companies, exchanges, and investment funds.
Real estate remains one of the strongest asset classes in the UAE, regularly posting high annual transaction volumes, rapid project launches, and strong international investor interest. Bringing a regulated crypto payment layer into the market gives investors a new pathway to participate, especially those who hold substantial digital portfolios.
Leadership confidence and long-term vision
Alexey Gorbachev, CEO and Founder of Idealist Real Estate and a partner at Xerime DMCC, said the company is committed to merging established real-estate standards with next-generation financial systems.
“The UAE sets the golden standard in real estate and I fully believe in integrating new technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies. We only work with licensed partners such as Xerime DMCC and Citi Developers who have earned trust over the years. Idealist is about offering clients ideal opportunities to invest in the UAE’s strong economy. We invest in what we trust,” Gorbachev said.
His comments reflect a broader market sentiment: regulation and trust are essential for mass crypto adoption in real estate. The UAE’s model attempts to create exactly that environment.
Amra development to pioneer instant crypto-payments
The partnership will debut on Citi Developers’ flagship project in Umm Al Quwain, named Amra. Designed as a wellness-focused lifestyle destination, Amra is being built from the ground up with infrastructure that supports instant crypto payment settlement. This ensures buyers can securely complete transactions using digital assets through the regulated Xerime system.
Citi Developers brings a track record of more than 14 years across Pakistan, the UK, and the UAE. In Dubai, the developer has delivered projects including Arya, Agua, and Allura, and is expanding into wellness-driven luxury environments in the Northern Emirates.
Real estate and digital finance converge
This agreement between Idealist Real Estate, Citi Developers, and Xerime DMCC demonstrates how property firms in Dubai are moving beyond pilot ideas and into real operational deployment of regulated crypto payments.
It supports the UAE’s vision under Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and reinforces the leadership’s ambition to build the world’s most advanced digital economy. It also signals to global investors that digital assets are no longer a fringe concept in Middle East property markets. Instead, they are becoming a regulated, trusted, and fully integrated part of the buying process.
As digital finance and real estate continue to converge, partnerships like this are likely to set the benchmark for how transactions in high-value asset markets evolve — combining innovation, compliance, and investor protection in one model.
