Ex-SEC Commissioner Takes on Key Role at Blockchain Real Estate Platform Propy

Blockchain real estate platform Propy on Friday appointed Michael Piwowar, a former acting SEC chairman and commissioner, as an advisory Board member. He will guide the company through key regulatory environments, the company said.

Michael Piwowar was a US SEC commissioner from 2013 to 2018. He now serves as a distinguished policy fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Financial Markets and Policy. He also worked as a senior economist at the White House under George Bush and Barack Obama.

“I’m incredibly excited to be aligning with Propy as the real estate market presents an enormous opportunity for innovation,” Piwowar said. “Real estate is a cornerstone of the global economy, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI are essential to overcoming the many challenges the industry faces.”

Former Wall Street Journal Columnist Michael Casey Joins Propy Board

Also on Friday, Propy announced that journalist Michael Casey joined its Board after serving four years as Chief Content Officer at CoinDesk. Casey also helped launch the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative, where he still advises.

Before that, he worked at The Wall Street Journal as a reporter, editor and columnist. He has also authored six books, including his latest, “Our Biggest Fight: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in the Digital Age,” co-written with business leader Frank McCourt.

Propy uses blockchain, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency to revolutionize real estate transactions. Users start by selecting properties like traditional listings, but Propy adds blockchain for extra verification and security. Once the buyer and seller agree, Propy creates, encrypts, and records the purchase agreement on the blockchain.

Michael Arrington and Grant Cardone Among Propy Users

TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington was an early adopter, selling a Kyiv apartment as an NFT through Propy. Likewise, entrepreneur Grant Cardone listed his $42m Miami property on Propy.

In March, Propy launched Propykeys, allowing users worldwide to create digital addresses for physical properties, from homes to global landmarks. Built on Ethereum L2 Base, this initiative enhances deed security by moving from paper records to blockchain. This shift not only combats deed fraud but also streamlines many aspects of traditional real estate transactions.