Smart Contracts Management: The Interplay of Data Privacy and Blockchain for Secure and Efficient Real Estate Transactions

The digital transformation of the real estate industry is being significantly influenced by blockchain technology and smart contracts, which promise enhanced efficiency, transparency, and security in transactions. This study aims to develop a secure and efficient smart contract management protocol that balances the benefits of blockchain with robust data privacy practices. The methodology involves descriptive analytics of transaction data from the Ethereum blockchain, feasibility studies using synthetic transaction data, and a regulatory compliance analysis to map the impact of different regions' regulations on blockchain adoption in real estate. The findings reveal that while smart contracts can automate various processes and reduce reliance on intermediaries, challenges related to data privacy and regulatory compliance persist. Higher privacy features in smart contracts are associated with increased execution costs, indicating a trade-off between privacy and cost efficiency. Smart contracts with privacy level 3 had an execution cost of 0.025 ETH, compared to those with privacy level 1 at 0.02 ETH. Integrating permissioned blockchains and zero-knowledge proofs offers a promising solution, though their complexity limits broader adoption. Zero-knowledge proofs maintained high privacy (achieving privacy levels of up to 0.76) at a reasonable computational cost (proof generation time of 1.9 seconds). Thus, the integration of permissioned blockchains and zero-knowledge proofs offers a promising pathway to address these challenges. However, the complexity of these techniques requires specialized knowledge, limiting broader adoption. The study concludes with recommendations to develop specialized training programs, collaborate on regulatory frameworks, invest in advanced cryptographic research, and implement targeted strategies to overcome adoption barriers. These efforts will contribute to the digital transformation of asset management, fostering innovation and enhancing the overall efficiency of real estate transactions.