Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea (한국경제지리학회지)

The Economic Geographical Society of Korea (한국경제지리학회)
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The Tokenization of Space and Cash Out without Debt: Focus on Security Token Offerings Using Blockchain Technology

공간의 토큰화와 빚 없이 현금 뽑기: 블록체인 기술을 활용한 증권형 토큰 발행을 중심으로

  • Lee, Hoobin (Housing and Land Research Division, Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements) ;
  • Hong, Dasom (Department of Seoul National University)
  • 이후빈 (국토연구원 주택택토지연구본부) ;
  • 홍다솜 (서울대학교 지리학과)
  • Received : 2021.02.25
  • Accepted : 2021.03.24
  • Published : 2021.03.31
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Abstract

This paper analyzes two cases of space tokenization, Meridio and QuantmRE, to explore the potential of tokenization as a new means of space financialization. Space tokenization is based on blockchain technology and security token offering (STO). Although some financial geographers noted the possible impact of blockchain technology on space financialization, it has not been examined in depth. Therefore, this paper demonstrates space tokenization cases in detail. Meridio and QuantmRE suggest financial structures that convert space into tokens based on fractional ownership transactions. QuantmRE, specifically, allows a homeowner to secure cash without either debt or ownership relinquishment through sales of tokenized home equity. As this method takes a form of sale transaction rather than a loan, it enables financial institutions to circumvent strengthened regulation on loans after the 2008 global financial crisis. Moreover, even "house poor" households, who own houses but lack cash due to excessive loans, can cash out from their properties through QuantmRE. As such, space tokenization enables financial institutions to overcome constrained conditions after the global financial crisis, thereby reproducing space financialization. Space tokenization also has the potential to geographically expand space financialization through stimulating investment in the depressed housing market.

본 연구는 공간 금융화의 방식으로써 토큰화의 가능성을 탐구하기 위해 Meridio와 Quantm RE의 사례를 분석한다. 공간의 토큰화는 블록체인 기술과 증권형 토큰 공개(STO)에 기초한다. Meridio와 Quantm RE는 구분소유권 거래를 바탕으로 공간을 토큰으로 만드는 금융모형을 제시하는데, 특히 QuantmRE는 주택소유자가 부채 없이 주택지분 거래를 통해 현금을 확보할 수 있게 한다. 이와 같은 방식은 대출이 아닌 매매의 형태를 취함으로써 금융기관이 대출에 대한 규제를 우회하고, 더 이상 부채를 늘릴 수 없는 하우스푸어가 주택으로부터 현금을 얻을 수 있게 해준다. 따라서 공간의 토큰화는 2008년 금융위기 이후에도 여전히 공간의 금융화를 재생산하는 대안이 될 수 있다. 그리고 하우스푸어에 대한 추가적 투자는 불황 주택시장의 저소득층 주거지역을 다시 투자지역으로 부상시켜서 금융화의 지리적 확장을 실현할 수 있다.

Keywords

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