Is a rental listing that only accepts cryptocurrency as a deposit a scam?
Yes. No legitimate landlord requires cryptocurrency as a tenancy deposit. This is always a fraud.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Requiring cryptocurrency for a rental deposit is a strong indicator of fraud because crypto transfers are irreversible and untraceable to a named individual. Legitimate tenancy deposits are paid by bank transfer or through a government-registered deposit protection scheme. Scam rental listings — which often clone real properties from other platforms at below-market prices — request crypto to prevent chargebacks and make recovery impossible. In some jurisdictions, accepting a tenancy deposit in cryptocurrency may not even constitute a legally valid deposit protection. If a landlord insists on crypto, do not proceed.
Common red flags
- Cryptocurrency required as the sole payment method for the deposit
- Property listed below market rate for the area
- Landlord cannot show proof of ownership
- Viewing is not available before payment is requested
What to do now
- Decline any rental that requires crypto for a deposit
- Verify ownership through land registry before paying any deposit
- Pay deposits only by bank transfer to a traceable account and use a deposit protection scheme
- Report the listing to the platform and fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Can I ever get crypto back if a landlord scams me?
Cryptocurrency transactions are final and pseudonymous — recovery is extremely rare. This is exactly why fraudsters request it. Bank transfers to regulated accounts have much better recovery options.