Interview with Edward Janes from FractioneX: Tokenizing Real Estate for a More Accessible Future

Host:
Hello and welcome to another edition of Block-Chat. Today, we're joined by Edward from FractioneX. He’s here to share insights about the FractioneX platform, tokenization, and the future of real estate investments. Edward, it's great to have you with us!

Edward:
Thank you! It’s great to be here.

Host:
Let’s jump right in with an obvious question: Why FractioneX? How did the name and project come about?

Edward:
The name is actually quite simple—it's short for "Fractional Exchange," and we felt that "FractioneX" had a nice, catchy ring to it. As for the project itself, I stumbled across tokenization while working on a different venture. I’m not someone who was deeply into crypto, but I quickly realized the massive potential tokenization offers for the future, especially in areas like real estate, where there’s a real need for innovative solutions.

Host:
That's interesting. So, tokenization wasn’t something you initially set out to explore?

Edward:
No, not at all. I’d dabbled in Bitcoin a little bit in the past, but I wasn’t a big crypto advocate. It wasn’t until I came across tokenization as a model that I saw the real potential it holds. Particularly in real estate, tokenization can solve issues related to affordability and ownership access. In many countries, like the UK where I grew up, owning a property used to be a rite of passage, but that's becoming increasingly out of reach for many people due to the skyrocketing property prices.

Host:
You bring up a key issue—property prices are rising much faster than incomes. How does Fractionex aim to address this gap in affordability?

Edward:
Exactly, and that’s a major part of why tokenization is so valuable. The average house price in the UK is approaching £300,000, while the average wage is less than £30,000. That creates a significant affordability gap. Tokenization allows us to offer fractional ownership of properties, so instead of needing to save for years to buy an entire house, people can start by owning a fraction of a property. This not only helps people get on the property ladder, but also enables them to invest in an asset class that traditionally has been out of reach for many.

Host:
That’s a great point. Can you share how you discovered Blocksquare and why you chose to partner with them?

Edward:
I honestly can’t remember exactly how I came across Blocksquare—maybe it was a YouTube video or an article—but once I found them, I realized they were offering exactly what I needed: a white-label platform for tokenized real estate. I was looking for a quick and efficient route to market, and Blocksquare provided the technology and ecosystem I was searching for. It was like all the pieces just fell into place.

Host:
Sounds like the perfect fit! How has your experience been with Blocksquare so far?

Edward:
It’s been fantastic. The team has been incredibly supportive, and the technology works well for what we’re trying to achieve. I’m really excited to get the platform live and start listing properties.

Host:
Speaking of properties, can you give us a sneak peek of what’s coming to the platform?

Edward:
We have three properties lined up: a three-bedroom house in Wales, a two-bedroom flat in the Midlands, and a charming old farmhouse in the Buckinghamshire countryside. They’re all quite different, which gives us a nice range of offerings for our users. These will be some of our first tokenized listings, and I’m really looking forward to getting them up.

Host:
That’s exciting! Are you primarily focusing on entry-level homes in the UK, or are you planning to expand into other markets or property types?

Edward:
Our core focus will be entry-level homes in the UK—properties like two-bedroom houses and flats, mostly newer builds. However, we’re always looking at other opportunities that can deliver strong returns, whether that’s traditional buy-to-let properties or commercial real estate. In the future, we may expand to other markets, especially in areas where I’m based, like Dubai, but for now, our focus is on the UK.

Host:
That makes sense. Given your background in investment consultancy, what advice would you give to an investor looking to include real estate in their portfolio, especially when it comes to tokenized assets?

Edward:
It really depends on the investor’s available capital, but generally, I would recommend allocating around 30-40% of their portfolio to real estate. With tokenized properties, you can diversify much more easily than if you were buying whole properties. By spreading investments across different properties and regions, you minimize risks like bad tenants or maintenance issues while still benefiting from rental income and capital appreciation. Tokenization is a really exciting development in real estate because it offers passive, hands-off investments with all the benefits of traditional property ownership.

Host:
That's a great strategy. And as always, remember, folks—this isn't financial advice! Edward, before we wrap up, do you have any final thoughts for our audience and the wider community?

Edward:
I’m incredibly excited about the launch of Fractionex and our partnership with Blocksquare. The real estate market is evolving, and I think we’re just scratching the surface of what tokenization can do. Over the next few years, I expect this space to grow exponentially, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. For anyone interested in real estate but struggling with affordability, Fractionex could be your gateway to getting on the property ladder. It’s an exciting time, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

Host:
Thank you, Edward! Best of luck with the launch, and we’re excited to see how Fractionex will shape the future of real estate investment.

Learn more about FractioneX’s game-changing campaign on Oceanpoint, launching their marketplace pool on October 9!