Bergen County, New Jersey, is taking a pioneering step by transferring property records worth $240 billion onto the Avalanche blockchain. This five-year initiative involves digitising and securing around 370,000 property deeds, making it one of the largest blockchain projects undertaken by a local government in the United States.
The project is a response to outdated, paper-based systems that are often slow, error-prone, and vulnerable to fraud. By embracing blockchain technology, the county hopes to modernise its property record-keeping infrastructure, reduce processing times from 90 days to just one, and significantly boost transparency, security, and operational efficiency.
Why Avalanche?
Avalanche, known for its speed, scalability, and low transaction costs, has been chosen as the foundational blockchain for this ambitious initiative. The project will use AvaCloud, Avalanche’s custom blockchain solution tailored for enterprise and government use. AvaCloud allows the creation of bespoke subnets, blockchain ecosystems designed to meet specific needs without compromising on performance or security.
This flexibility is vital for a diverse region like Bergen County, which includes 70 towns with nearly one million residents. With AvaCloud, each town can adopt a system suited to its unique requirements, yet all records will still integrate seamlessly into a unified, secure digital ledger.
Real Estate Meets the Digital Age
At the heart of this transformation is tokenisation, the process of turning real-world assets into digital tokens that exist on a blockchain. In this case, the assets are property deeds. Tokenising these documents makes them easier to track, verify, and manage. It also creates potential for faster real estate transactions and better government accountability.
$240B in real estate is coming on-chain.@balconytech is working with Bergen County and multiple other NJ municipalities to digitize property records, and it’s powered by Avalanche.
— Avalanche
This is the largest blockchain deed initiative in U.S. history. pic.twitter.com/aeI0t5nffp(@avax) May 28, 2025
The company behind the technical implementation, Balcony, aims to provide municipalities with tamper-proof systems that not only improve record accuracy but also enhance resilience during emergencies. In situations like natural disasters or system failures, having decentralised, easily accessible records can be a game-changer.
A Model for the Nation?
While Bergen County leads the charge, the impact could extend far beyond its borders. Towns like Camden and Fort Lee in New Jersey are already exploring similar initiatives, and successful execution in Bergen could set a national precedent. The potential benefits are clear: improved accuracy in public records, reduced costs, faster processes, and enhanced public trust.
However, some local residents have expressed concern, questioning whether the state’s public infrastructure is truly ready for such an advanced technological shift. Despite this, support from local leaders and the broader crypto community suggests that the project is viewed as a promising example of how blockchain can be integrated into public services.
The move by Bergen County to put $240 billion in real estate on-chain could redefine how property records are managed across the country. By using Avalanche and AvaCloud, the county is embracing a decentralised digital future where security, speed, and transparency are at the core of public service. If successful, this could mark a watershed moment for the adoption of blockchain in government operations.
