FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Landano?

Landano is a land registry platform built on the Cardano blockchain. It provides a user-friendly application (web and mobile) for property owners and governments to manage land rights and documents in a secure, transparent way; and, for individuals to view land information for their communities. Landano creates tamper-proof digital records of land ownership (using NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, to represent title deeds)​.

This ensures that property records:

  • Cannot be altered once recorded, without proper authorization
  • Are auditable, addressing issues of unreliable documentation, transparency, fraud, and corruption found in many land registries​. 

Essentially, Landano combines the trust and security of decentralized systems with the real-world requirements of establishing legal property ownership.

Landano works by creating or digitizing existing land records and ensuring they are legally verifiable and easy to transact. Here’s an overview of how the Landano platform operates:

  • Digital Land Tokens (NFTs): Each real-world property or land right is represented by a unique token on the Cardano blockchain (an NFT). This token acts as a digital twin of the property records, containing essential information like ownership details, geographic coordinates, and legal identifiers​. By tokenizing land titles, Landano makes them easy to manage and transfer digitally while preventing duplication or forgery.

  • Integration with Official Records: Landano doesn’t work in isolation – it links the blockchain record to authoritative data from government or community land registries. For example, in Mozambique Landano integrates with Terra Firma’s DUAT system (community-issued land certificates) and then mints those rights as Cardano NFTs​.

  • Legally Binding Transactions: Transactions on Landano (such as a sale or transfer of land) are made legally binding by involving local legal professionals and authorities. Whenever a land right is transferred through the app, a licensed land administrator or notary validates and oversees the process to ensure it meets all local legal requirements​. Once approved, a smart contract on the blockchain executes the transfer – the buyer receives the NFT title deed and the seller receives payment, all recorded transparently on the ledger. This blend of smart contracts with real-world legal oversight ensures trustless transactions that are still recognized by law.

  • User-Friendly Interface: Even though blockchain is at the core, Landano’s front-end is designed for simplicity. Users (land owners, buyers, or officials) interact with Landano through a mobile/web app with familiar features like maps and forms, without needing to understand blockchain technicalities​. The platform is multilingual (English, Portuguese, etc.) and provides guided steps for actions like registering a property or initiating a sale. Because Landano is built on the Mendix low-code platform, the user experience is more like a modern web application rather than a Crypto wallet interface, making it accessible to the public.

Financial Empowerment: By making proof of ownership or land rights more accessible, Landano opens up new opportunities for landowners. A verified title deed on Landano can be used when seeking loans or insurance. In regions where getting a bank loan with traditional papers is difficult, a Landano-certified digital title gives owners credible proof of asset ownership. Owners can leverage their land titles to access mortgages or microfinance, as lenders have a reliable, tamper-proof record of the collateral​. This way, Landano not only secures land rights but also helps unlock the economic value of land for its owners.

If you have legal rights to your land or property, but it’s difficult to prove it with your area’s current system, you can still use Landano to establish a robust claim that can be used to create legal documentation later, that many audiences will find trustworthy. Create an individual user account, pay the annual subscription fee for your area, and upload data, documentation and supporting media.

Yes! You can create a free individual user account and view communities and properties around the world, as well as support other individuals’ documented claims.

Landano was co-founded and is led by a team of experienced professionals in technology, blockchain, and land administration, with a lot of experience developing both new tech and new policy solutions and implementing them successfully. The project is managed by Landano International Ltd, which handles operations worldwide​.

The core team includes experts passionate about improving property rights globally, with backgrounds in software development, records management, urban planning, land policy, and international business development.

Backed initially by Cardano’s Project Catalyst funding and supported by partnerships worldwide, the Landano team is committed to its mission of securing property rights for everyone.

Landano introduces several key innovations:

Blockchain Security: Most registries rely on paper documents or centralized databases that can be lost, altered, or corrupted. Landano uses the Cardano blockchain to record land titles, which makes these records permanent and tamper-proof​. Once a land record is on the blockchain, no one can secretly modify or delete it – this level of data integrity is hard to achieve with conventional systems. This dramatically reduces the risk of fraud (such as someone forging ownership or back-dating documents).

  1. Transparency and Verification:
    In a conventional system, verifying a title can be slow and opaque – one might have to visit a land office and trust their archives and their staff. With Landano, anyone with permission can verify a title’s authenticity on the blockchain instantly. Every transaction (sale, transfer, etc.) is logged openly.

    This transparency builds trust: buyers, banks, or government auditors can independently confirm who owns what at any time. Landano essentially provides a     single source of truth for land ownership that is visible to all stakeholders, unlike siloed government records.

  2. Legal Integration and Compliance:
    Landano is designed to work hand-in-hand with existing laws and authorities. The platform’s processes comply with international standards (like ISO 19152:2012 for land administration) and local regulations​.

    Landano collaborates with local land officials and notaries so that any blockchain-recorded transaction is also recognized legally in that jurisdiction​.

  3. User Empowerment and Accessibility:
    A traditional land registry is, by nature, bureaucratic – often requiring multiple office visits, extensive paperwork, and intermediaries to navigate. Landano streamlines this by offering a publicly accessible digital interface for land management.

    Property owners can initiate actions (like registering a new purchase or updating details) from their phone or computer, and track the status in real-time. The platform is designed to be approachable, lowering the barrier for people who may be intimidated by government procedures. This is especially important in regions where citizens might live far from registry offices or lack the means to frequently travel for paperwork.     Landano brings the land registry office to the people, rather than making people come to the registry.

  4. Global Reach with Local Adaptation:
    Traditional registries are typically country-specific and vary widely in quality and reliability. Landano’s system is versatile – it can be tailored to any country’s legal environment, whether it’s a deeds system, title system, or customary land system. The team has gained insights from pilots in Ghana (which has both formal and customary land tenure systems) and Mozambique (community-based land rights via DUATs) to ensure the platform respects local practices​. This means Landano can support modernizing land records in developing countries where systems are weak, while also complementing (not replacing) strong existing systems in developed regions.

    The ability to bridge customary land rights (e.g., communal or tribal ownership structures) with modern digital records is another unique feature that traditional registries, often stuck in one mode, cannot easily replicate.

Summary

Landano differs by offering a secure, transparent, and interoperable land registry solution. It combines the strengths of blockchain (security, transparency, decentralization) with the requirements of real-world land governance (legal validity, local customization), in a way that conventional registries rarely achieve, even in the most trusted and highest-performing jurisdictions.

Blockchain is central to Landano’s architecture – it is the foundation that provides security, transparency, and trust by enabling these features:

  • Immutable Record-Keeping:
    The Cardano blockchain serves as a secure ledger for all land records in Landano. When a land title or right is registered, it is recorded as a transaction on the blockchain. Because of blockchain’s immutable nature, once this information is recorded, it cannot be changed or deleted by any party. This permanence is crucial for land records: it means ownership history cannot be falsified. Landano leverages this to make property ownership records permanent and tamper-proof​– a stark contrast to traditional paper records that might be altered or destroyed.

  • Tokenization of Assets:
    Each land right in Landano is represented by a unique token (specifically, an NFT) on Cardano. Blockchain provides the infrastructure for creating, storing, and transferring these tokens securely. The tokenization via smart contracts ensures that complex rules (like “only one valid owner at a time” or fractional ownership shares, etc.) are enforced automatically by code. In practical terms, the blockchain acts as the digital deed registry, and the NFTs are like digital title deeds. This system also makes it easy to prove ownership: if you hold the token in your wallet, you are the owner of the land it represents, and anyone can verify that by checking the blockchain.

  • Trustless Transactions:
    By using blockchain, Landano enables trustless operations, meaning parties don’t have to solely trust each other or an intermediary – they can trust the system. For example, when buying land through Landano, the buyer and seller rely on a smart contract to handle the exchange: the contract will only transfer the ownership token when payment is confirmed, and this logic is executed automatically on the blockchain. This reduces the risk of fraud or default. The blockchain’s consensus mechanism (Cardano’s security and validation by a decentralized network of nodes) ensures that every transaction is validated and agreed upon by the network, not just a single central server.

  • Transparency and Auditability:
    Every action on the Landano platform that involves the blockchain (registering a new land title, transferring ownership, updating a record) is transparent. Anyone can inspect the blockchain entries to see the timestamp and details of the transaction (while sensitive personal info is kept off-chain or encrypted). This provides an audit trail that is much more robust than traditional systems. For instance, disputes can be resolved more easily because the blockchain provides an exact history of who owned what and when, with proof. Landano uses Cardano’s public blockchain, so the data is auditable by users, auditors, or any interested party, adding to the platform’s trustworthiness​.

Security and Decentralization:
Blockchain adds a strong layer of security. Since Cardano is a decentralized network, there is no single point of failure or single target to attack to corrupt the land records. Landano’s choice of Cardano also means it benefits from Cardano’s security features and peer-reviewed, robust architecture. All data recorded on-chain is secured by cryptography. Even if Landano’s primary servers or databases were compromised, the core record of ownership on the blockchain remains safe and intact. This decentralization is particularly important in scenarios where local land offices might be subject to political interference or physical damage – the blockchain copy of the records will survive such events.

Yes – Landano is designed with security and trust as top priorities. The platform implements multiple layers of security, combining blockchain’s inherent strengths with best practices in software security to protect users’ land records. Here are some of the reasons you can trust Landano with important property information:

  • Blockchain Immutability (Tamper-Proof Records): All land records and transactions on Landano are recorded on the Cardano blockchain, which is immutable by design. Once a record (e.g. a land title or a transfer event) is written to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted by any unauthorized person. This prevents anyone from fraudulently changing ownership or falsifying records. In contrast to a centralized database, where a malicious actor or insider could try to manipulate data, the decentralized nature of Cardano means no single entity can secretly change the data. This immutability ensures the integrity of Landano’s records over time​

  • Decentralized and Secure Document Storage: In addition to on-chain records, Landano stores supporting documents (such as scanned deeds, survey maps, or IDs) in decentralized file storage networks like IPFS or Arweave. Each document stored this way gets a unique cryptographic hash. If anyone ever tried to tamper with a document (for example, replace a land title PDF with a doctored version), the hash would not match, and the system would immediately detect the inconsistency. By not relying on a single server for document storage, Landano protects against data loss and tampering – even if one node goes down or is hacked, the document copies on the distributed network remain available and unmodified.

  • Encryption and Access Control: All sensitive data handled by Landano is encrypted both in transit (when it’s moving between your device and the server/blockchain) and at rest (when it’s stored in databases or IPFS). The platform uses strong encryption standards to prevent eavesdropping or data theft. Moreover, Landano employs multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control for its application. This means that even within the system, only authorized users (for example, a verified Land Administrator or the specific property owner) can initiate certain actions on a record. If you are a landowner, only you (and trusted officials) can access or change your land entry – no random person can log in and mess with your property data. These measures ensure that user accounts and the Landano app itself are safe from unauthorized access.

  • Verification Mechanisms: Landano builds trust by linking every digital record to a verifiable source. When a new land record is added, it is accompanied by evidence – such as an official document or a community leader’s attestation. The system can cross-reference new entries with known authoritative data. For instance, if Landano receives a record for a plot in Ghana, it can be checked against the Ghana Lands Commission database or validated by a recognized traditional authority for that area. This way, even before a record gets on the blockchain, Landano ensures it’s authentic. Users (like potential buyers or banks) are able to see indicators of verification (e.g., a label that a title is “Verified by X authority”). This evidence-based approach (enhanced by Landano’s integration with the Mendix platform for processing submissions) means that fake or unverified claims are not allowed to circulate as “valid” records【3†Row9 Dorus】.

  • Comprehensive Audit Trail: Every action on a land record through Landano is tracked. If an owner updates their details, if a property is transferred, or if an official reviews a submission, these events are logged (with user ID, timestamp, and details) and often recorded on-chain as well. This creates a transparent audit trail. In case of any dispute or suspicion, there’s a clear history of who did what and when. Because the blockchain component is immutable, nobody can go back and manipulate the logs. This traceability deters fraudulent behavior — knowing that any attempt to, say, claim someone else’s land or forge data will be visibly recorded and can be traced back, bad actors are disincentivized.

  • Regular Security Practices and Audits: The Landano team is committed to maintaining high security standards. The platform’s code and smart contracts are planned to undergo regular security audits as it matures, to catch and fix any vulnerabilities. The team stays updated on Cardano’s security upgrades and follows industry best practices for cybersecurity. Additionally, Landano invests in user education, guiding users on how to protect their accounts (for example, safeguarding their wallet keys, recognizing phishing attempts) because a system is only as secure as its weakest link. By empowering users with knowledge and building secure tech, Landano creates a trustworthy environment for managing land rights.

In conclusion, Landano is secure and trustworthy due to its strong technological backbone and proactive security measures. The combination of blockchain’s immutability, encrypted and distributed storage, strict access controls, and alignment with official data sources ensures that your land information is safe. Landano’s own literature emphasizes that its blockchain-based notarization process makes land documents immutable and auditable, keeping records secure and eliminating risks of fraud. As a user or stakeholder, you can have confidence that the data on Landano is authentic and protected against tampering.

Landano is a global solution with local implementations. The platform is designed to be adaptable to any country’s land governance system, but it has focused its initial efforts in specific regions:

  • Ghana (West Africa): Ghana is one of Landano’s pilot project locations​. The Landano team has been working in Ghana to help digitize and secure land rights, particularly in rural areas where documentation is often lacking. They have collaborated with Ghana’s local authorities and communities to register land parcels on the blockchain. Ghana’s mix of formal land titles and customary (traditional) land holdings provides a valuable testing ground for Landano’s approach. By working in Ghana, Landano aims to give farmers and landowners secure digital proof of their property, which can empower them economically (for instance, by enabling them to use land as collateral).

  • Mozambique (Southern Africa): Another key pilot is in Mozambique​, where Landano partnered with a local land consultancy (Terra Firma) that has a system called CaVaTeCo for community mapping of land rights​. Landano integrates with this system to put community-issued land use rights (known as DUATs in Mozambique) onto the Cardano blockchain as NFTs​. This helps villagers and rural communities in Mozambique gain a more formalized, immutable record of the land they’ve been managing, bridging the gap between community records and national recognition. The goal in Mozambique is to simplify property transactions and secure property rights in a way that benefits local people by using Landano’s tech on top of existing local practices.

  • Future Expansion: Landano is built to be jurisdiction-agnostic. Its compliance with international standards and modular design means it can be introduced in any country that wants to modernize its land records. The team is in active discussions with more governments and organizations around the world. As a company with an international focus, Landano can operate in various legal environments. Landano’s expansion plans include partnering with authorities in other countries where land record challenges exist, and providing an interim level of service for individual owners everywhere. Essentially, Landano operates wherever it is needed and invited – the strategy is to establish trust and acceptance in some areas where our service is most desired, prove the efficacy of the system, and then use that momentum to scale up and out to more areas. If a country or community is interested in Landano, the platform is designed to  be adapted to local laws and languages.

Landano’s technology is applicable globally, and Landano’s team is internationally distributed (with presence in Africa, North America, and Europe). The vision is to make property rights secure for everyone, everywhere, and the ongoing projects are steps on the path toward that global mission.

If you’re interested in investing in Landano or partnering with us, there are a few avenues to consider:

  • Strategic Partnerships: Landano welcomes collaboration with organizations that share our mission of improving land rights. This includes partnerships with governments, non-profits/NGOs, real estate developers, and technology companies. We continue to seek partnerships that can help implement Landano in new regions or enhance the platform’s capabilities. Whether you are a local land authority looking for a modern registry solution, or a tech firm that can integrate services (like mapping, identity verification, or financial services), Landano is open to exploring partnership opportunities.

  • Investing (Equity or Funding): Landano is growing​. As we scale, we may look for additional funding or investors who are aligned with our vision. Interested investors (angel investors, impact funds, venture capital, etc.) are invited to discuss opportunities.

  • Staying Updated on Opportunities: Landano often shares news on our social media and blog about milestones (for instance, winning awards or attending global forums)​. These updates sometimes highlight when we are looking for partners or launching new initiatives. By following Landano’s announcements, you’ll know when we are, say, expanding to a new country and might need on-the-ground partners or when we are raising a new round of funding.

How to proceed: The best first step if you want to invest or partner is to contact the Landano team directly. We can provide more information on our current strategic plans and the structure of potential deals or collaborations. Whether you represent a government land department, an investment fund, or a tech company, we’re happy to discuss how we can work together to secure land rights. We are always happy to talk about our mission and explore cooperative efforts!

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