Natalia Karayaneva is a business executive and real estate technology entrepreneur who has led Propy Inc. since 2016. Her background includes real estate development, blockchain-related advisory work, and contributions to Forbes. ^[2]

Education

Karayaneva earned her Postgraduate Degree in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford and a MEng in Computer Software Engineering from the International University of Nature, Society and Human. ^[1]

Career

Karayaneva began her career in real estate investment and development as the managing owner of MP Group Ltd. from 2001 to 2016. Based in Bulgaria, she oversaw projects related to residential construction, international property sales, accommodation services, facility management, and real estate development. In November 2016, Karayaneva became CEO of Propy Inc., a company focused on automating real estate transactions for buyers, brokerages, and title companies through blockchain and smart contract technology. Under her leadership, the company developed systems for digitizing and automating aspects of the home-buying process. Beginning in January 2018, Karayaneva also served as an advisor to Arrington Capital, a blockchain-focused hedge fund based in Menlo Park, California. She remained in the role until August 2023. Since February 2019, Karayaneva has additionally worked as a contributor for Forbes. ^[1]

Interviews

Blockchain Real Estate

On theCUBE in March 2026, Karayaneva discussed the Propy's recent strategic initiatives at the NYSE Wired event, highlighting their successful raising of a $100 million credit facility aimed at an AI-led roll-up strategy in real estate. Since her last appearance, Propy had expanded its platform through acquisitions, including three title companies, with plans to acquire seven more within the next year, particularly in key states like Texas and California. She emphasized that Propy's mission was to automate real estate transactions, reducing bureaucracy and increasing market liquidity, envisioning a future where AI-enabled, blockchain-powered transactions would occur rapidly—potentially within a day—using personal AI agents. Karayaneva noted the industry’s ripe potential for disruption by AI, seeing the integration of proprietary data, licenses, and cutting-edge technology as crucial for faster, more efficient processes. She shared her perspective that cryptocurrency, especially stablecoins and smart contracts, would become foundational infrastructure for real estate, enabling faster, secure transactions. Looking ahead, Propy aimed to strengthen integrations, continue acquisitions, and possibly go public, while fostering collaboration with existing industry participants, even those initially hesitant about AI adoption. ^[4]

Future of Real Estate

In March 2026, Proof CEO Pat Kinsel sat down with Karayaneva, who discussed how her company, Propy, was transforming real estate transactions through blockchain and AI technologies, despite initial skepticism from the industry. Propy, a licensed title and escrow firm, conducted traditional property deals while pioneering on-chain property records and ownership transfers, with notable successes in Thailand through blockchain-based auctions. She emphasized that moving ownership on blockchain was an inevitable evolution driven by the need for secure, transparent, and efficient processes, and predicted broader adoption within a few years. Karayaneva highlighted how regulatory advancements, such as the Genius Act, facilitated acceptance of cryptocurrencies like stablecoins in real estate, leading to increased sales and lower transaction costs. She also shared insights into AI advancements, including her company's AI agent Avery, which automates routine tasks like calling lenders and verifying data, reducing bureaucracy and enhancing efficiency. Moreover, she addressed the ongoing challenges of fraud detection and identity falsification, stressing the importance of human oversight alongside technological solutions. Throughout the conversation, she reinforced the idea that technology would complement, not replace, trusted human roles in real estate, ultimately aiming for a future with minimal bureaucracy, greater security, and accessibility for new generations of homebuyers. ^[5]

SLG Meetup

On the Super Luxury Group podcast in November 2025, Karayaneva shared her journey of merging her passions for real estate and software to revolutionize property transactions through blockchain and smart contracts. She explained how her background growing up around construction inspired her to address global issues in cross-border real estate dealings, leading her to Silicon Valley to establish Propy. Karayaneva discussed the transformative potential of AI and blockchain in making homeownership more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective for the new generation, emphasizing the development of innovative tools like AI agent Avery, which automates transaction processes and enhances productivity. She highlighted Propy's pioneering work in crypto real estate since 2017, outlining secure escrow procedures and recent high-value transactions involving cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. Karayaneva also elaborated on exciting projects in Miami, such as Ryder and Mohawk, which integrate blockchain and AI, and stressed the importance of regulatory compliance and leveraging partnerships like Milo. Concluding with advice for real estate professionals, she encouraged embracing technological change, fostering a mindset of optimism and innovation, and treating real estate as a digital asset, all while maintaining the human connection with clients. ^[6]

Navigating Success

On theCUBE in October 2025, Karayaneva discussed the Propy's journey from its inception in 2017 to its recent expansion, highlighting a $100 million roll-up strategy that involved acquiring profitable title companies across the U.S. to modernize and make their processes more efficient using AI and blockchain technology. She explained how Propy automated real estate transactions, reduced fraud through secure smart contracts, and aimed to significantly lower closing times, from days to hours, by streamlining procedures and eliminating intermediaries. Natalia emphasized the importance of industry-wide adoption, noting increasing acceptance of cryptocurrency for real estate transactions, supported by recent regulations like the GENIUS Act, and predicted continued growth driven by institutional adoption and mainstream acceptance. She shared her insights on the enduring value of crypto, the need for conviction in technology, and the potential of blockchain to create safer, more transparent, and cost-efficient real estate processes, positioning Propy as a trailblazer in integrating on-chain assets with traditional markets. ^[7]