Avanti Way launches crypto division led by Erik Mendelson

As cryptocurrency continues to reshape the global economy, it’s also beginning to leave its mark on the real estate world — and Avanti Way Realty is leading the charge in South Florida.

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The Doral-based brokerage has officially launched a new cryptocurrency division, aimed at helping agents and clients confidently navigate property transactions involving digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. The initiative is being spearheaded by Erik Mendelson, a seasoned mortgage broker and one of the early pioneers in crypto-backed real estate deals, with more than $20 million in crypto-related closings under his belt.

Why Crypto Buyers Need a Different Playbook

Many crypto-wealthy individuals don’t want to convert their holdings into fiat currency just to buy a home. In fact, they often lack significant cash reserves, making traditional financing tricky. Mendelson explains that crypto-backed mortgages provide a practical solution — allowing buyers to leverage their digital assets while maintaining ownership.

But here’s the problem: most real estate agents simply aren’t equipped to handle these kinds of deals.

Avanti Way’s new division aims to change that.

Agent Training, One-on-One Guidance, and CE Credits

Mendelson is rolling out personalized coaching for the brokerage’s top 80 agents, providing hands-on training in how to close crypto deals effectively and compliantly. Even better — agents can earn continuing education (CE) credits through his class.

And it doesn’t stop there: Avanti Way is also working to integrate crypto training into its full education platform, alongside updates to its finance and title workflows, so that crypto transactions can be streamlined from start to finish.

Global Buyers & Crypto’s Rising Legitimacy

With nearly 2,000 agents, Avanti Way sees a clear opportunity: tap into the global pool of crypto users, particularly foreign buyers who may prefer digital assets due to restrictive banking rules in their home countries — or because crypto is already their default payment method.

As co-CEO Andres Korda puts it: “Our lifeblood is our customers. They want to work with agents who understand their world.”

The timing couldn’t be better. Just last week, the U.S. signed the Genius Act, a bill that brings regulatory clarity to stablecoins, one of the fastest-growing segments of the crypto world. And with crypto markets now valued at over $4 trillion — roughly equal to the value of Florida’s entire real estate sector — the overlap is no longer niche. It’s massive.

Developers Are Catching On Too

Real estate developers like Rilea Group and PMG are also starting to embrace the crypto buyer. Rilea’s Rider Residences recently closed a wallet-to-wallet deal, and PMG has partnered with Shift4 to enable buyers to seamlessly convert crypto into U.S. dollars for all of its Florida projects.

For Avanti Way, the move is about staying ahead of the curve and empowering its agents to serve a fast-evolving market.

“Now that regulation is catching up to innovation,” Mendelson says, “this is the perfect time to build something truly forward-thinking.”

 

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