This paper provides an overview of the ways blockchain has been used for real estate and land registries, and how its use may change in the future. After a foreword observing larger trends regarding the role of blockchain in the movement for an open and decentralized web, the introduction makes a broad case as to why blockchain is important for real estate.
The body of the paper has three sections:
- The seven major prerequisites that must be met before blockchains are introduced into a land registry.
- A conceptual framework of eight levels of blockchain integration with the registry, progressing from the most simple to the most radical.
- Finally, we discuss five different issues and impacts stemming from the interaction of blockchain and land, ranging from title insurance to regulation.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the “2018 World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty.” The World Bank, Washington, D.C., March 19-23, 2018.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Sade Bruce, Tim Robustelli, and Ethan Walker for their help in reviewing and editing this paper.
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