RAK properties announced that buyers will be able to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether’s USDT, and other digital assets. At the same time, Coinbase and OKX are rolling out dedicated crypto services for self-managed superannuation funds in Australia, opening retirement savings to wider crypto exposure. Overall, real estate and retirement systems in major markets are increasingly integrating digital assets. RAK Properties Embraces Crypto Payments RAK Properties, one of the largest publicly traded real estate companies in Ras Al Khaimah, announced that it will begin accepting cryptocurrency for international property transactions. This is yet another milestone in the UAE’s push toward embracing digital assets. The company confirmed on Monday that buyers will be able to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether’s USDT, and other cryptocurrencies as payment methods. To facilitate the process, RAK Properties partnered with Hubpay, a global payments platform headquartered in the region. Hubpay will handle the conversion of digital assets into the UAE dirham before depositing the equivalent fiat into the company’s accounts. This system ensures compliance and stability while also giving customers flexibility in how they choose to transact. RAK Properties Chief Financial Officer Rahul Jogani said that by enabling the use of digital assets, the company is engaging with a new ecosystem of digitally savvy and investment-oriented customers. The decision comes as crypto adoption across the United Arab Emirates is accelerating. Ras Al Khaimah, the fourth-largest emirate in the country, has been looking to strengthen its appeal to international investors, and integrating cryptocurrency payments into real estate transactions could serve as a major draw. RAK Properties itself has been publicly listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange since 2005 and currently holds a market cap of 4.7 billion dirhams, or roughly $1.3 billion. The company is set for expansion in 2025 with 12 new projects in the pipeline. In terms of performance, it posted strong results last year, with net profit rising 39% year-over-year to 281 million dirhams in 2024 compared to 202 million dirhams the year before. More broadly, the UAE is working hard to position itself as one of the most progressive jurisdictions for digital assets, and wants to attract both Web3 startups and institutional players. Analysts see the sector becoming one of the country’s largest industries within the next five years. (Source: Chainalysis ) According to Chase Ergen of DeFi Technologies, crypto could soon be the UAE’s second-largest sector. Chainalysis data also showed that retail crypto transactions in the UAE surged by over 75% year-over-year as of June 2024, alongside steady growth across all transaction size brackets. Exchanges Push Crypto into Aussie Retirement Funds Meanwhile, Coinbase and OKX are expanding their reach in Australia by launching services tailored for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). These funds make up around a quarter of Australia’s retirement savings system, and are a key gateway for crypto adoption in the country. While Australians have been able to hold digital assets in SMSFs for several years, the exchanges are now packaging that access into dedicated offerings that are designed to make the process more seamless. Instead of leaving individuals to navigate the complexities of setting up structures, custody, and audit requirements on their own, Coinbase and OKX are providing integrated services. These include referrals to accountants and law firms, as well as custody and record-keeping solutions that meet compliance standards. Allocation of assets (Source: Australian Tax Office ) According to the Australian Tax Office , SMSFs held A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) in digital assets in March of 2025, which was a sevenfold increase since 2021. Coinbase also reported that more than 500 investors already joined the waiting list for its SMSF service, with most intending to allocate up to A$100,000 in crypto. OKX launched its service in June, and said that demand exceeded expectations. The move lowers barriers for mainstream investors and is one of the first organized pushes by major exchanges to tap into Australia’s retirement market, which is one of the largest globally on a per-capita basis. Australia’s growing embrace of crypto in retirement funds coincides with shifting attitudes in other major economies. In the United States, Fidelity Investments became the first major firm to introduce crypto exposure in retirement plans with its Bitcoin 401(k) option in 2022. The product attracted some resistance from the Department of Labor, which warned plan sponsors to be cautious with crypto allocations. That stance reversed in May of 2025 when the Labor Department rescinded its earlier guidance, giving plan sponsors greater flexibility. Additionally, on Aug/ 7, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.” The order directed regulators to update retirement-plan rules, allowing for alternative assets like cryptocurrencies to be included in 401(k)s. Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors The executive order drew praise and criticism . Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer argued that the government should not dictate retirement investment choices and praised the increased flexibility for savers. Critics, however, warned that the move could put retirement security at risk and primarily benefit private equity firms.
