TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Joe Pizzurro

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Joe Pizzurro has always had a knack for breaking boundaries, whether in his personal or professional life. From a 15-year career managing projects for Fortune 500 companies to completing a grueling 70.3-mile Ironman Triathlon, Joe has never been one to shy away from a challenge. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he pivoted from IT and project management to real estate—a decision that led to the creation of BreakChain Capital Investments, a private firm specializing in acquiring and revitalizing commercial properties in Texas.

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In just a few short years, BreakChain Capital has amassed a portfolio of over 4,000 multifamily and self-storage units, totaling more than $100 million in assets under management. Operating with a vertically integrated approach, the company oversees acquisitions, manages renovations through its in-house firm, BreakChain Capex Solutions, and increases profitability with strategic capital improvements. The goal? To deliver exceptional value for investors by turning underperforming properties into high-yield assets.

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Joe’s innovation doesn’t stop there. As the creator of XCHAIN Protocol, a cryptocurrency built on the Polygon Network, he’s pioneering digital solutions that bridge blockchain technology with real estate. Adding to his impressive résumé, Joe recently co-launched The Real Estate Players Podcast, a rapidly growing show that features industry heavyweights sharing insights into their success. Whether you’re an investor, broker, or lender, the podcast offers valuable lessons each week, attracting a dedicated audience eager to learn from the best.

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A graduate of the University of North Texas and member of Sigma Nu fraternity, Joe then went on to receive an MBA from Aspen University and an executive certificate in Blockchain Technology from MIT.  His professional achievements are matched only by his personal passions. He’s hiked Yosemite’s Sentinel Dome and raised a beautiful daughter who is currently a cheerleader at Texas State University.

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We spoke with Joe to learn more about his company, its growth, and his innovative cryptocurrency, XCHAIN Protocol.

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Joe, what inspired you to start the company?

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In 2020, I took a step back and thought about my future. With potentially another 20 years in the corporate world ahead of me, I started asking myself some important questions: How could I stop being dependent on a single paycheck? How could I accelerate my retirement? How could I create multiple streams of income? While I had a good experience in the corporate world, I didn’t love it—it felt like I was chained to my paycheck, working just to get by.

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That realization drove me to explore real estate investing. I began by investing in deals where others were running the show, and eventually, I transitioned into managing my own investments. That progression allowed me to leave the corporate world entirely and replace my salary with passive income. I named the company “BreakChain” because it reflects my journey of breaking free from the constraints of a corporate paycheck and building a life of financial independence. It’s a constant reminder of why I started this journey and what I aim to help others achieve.

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What makes your investment approach unique?

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Our investment approach stands out because of its diversification across two asset classes: self-storage and apartments. Many real estate investment firms specialize in just one, but we strategically balance both to maximize returns and mitigate risks.

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Self-storage assets are great for generating consistent cash flow, though they typically don’t appreciate as much in value. On the other hand, apartments offer significant appreciation potential, but they require more maintenance, which can reduce cash flow. By combining these two asset types, we leverage their strengths to create a more stable and profitable portfolio.

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This diversification is especially valuable when market conditions aren’t favorable for one asset class. Instead of sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to improve, we can pivot our focus to the better-performing class. This flexibility allows us to continue generating returns and seizing opportunities, regardless of market fluctuations.

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You’ve experienced extraordinary growth and success despite the market headwinds. To what do you attribute this?

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A significant part of our success came from being confident and proactive during a time when many others were hesitant. While some investors were sitting out during those challenging years, I saw opportunities to buy properties at a lower cost basis. Another factor was our diversified approach across two asset classes—self-storage and apartments. This strategy allowed us to grow more rapidly than if we had focused on just one.

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Tell us about your innovative cryptocurrency, XCHAIN Protocol. Where did the idea of merging real estate with blockchain come from?

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One of the fundamental problems with cryptocurrencies today is that they’re often not backed by any tangible assets. This lack of intrinsic value creates volatility—prices skyrocket as excitement builds, but a single large investor can sell off their holdings, causing the value to crash, leaving others with significant losses. I started thinking about how we could create a cryptocurrency with real, underlying value. Using the analogy of the U.S. dollar once being backed by gold, where you could exchange your cash for gold or silver at the bank, I envisioned a way to merge real estate with blockchain technology.

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Suppose you have $100,000 in equity in your home. Instead of selling the property or doing a cash-out refinance to access liquidity, you could convert that equity into digital tokens. These tokens, backed by your real estate, could then be sold on an exchange to generate immediate funds—all without selling or refinancing your property. This is the foundation of XCHAIN Protocol: a cryptocurrency backed by real estate assets. By tokenizing real estate and tying it directly to the blockchain, we create a cryptocurrency with intrinsic value.  

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We’re currently developing XCHAIN Protocol and anticipate launching it in 2026. It’s an exciting step forward in blending blockchain innovation with tangible, real-world applications.

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What’s on the horizon for you and for BCI?

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For me, it’s all about helping people find a better way. That’s why I recently earned my life coach certification—it’s my next big goal. I want to go beyond teaching people how to invest in real estate and help them transform their lives as a whole. There are so many people out there asking themselves, “Is there a different way?”

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We’re also preparing to launch an exciting new initiative: the FlexFund. This fund will allow investors to invest in both of our asset classes as part of a diversified portfolio, rather than tying their investment to a single property. This approach reduces risk, offers greater diversification, and provides better protection for our investors’ capital.

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Joe Pizzurro
Founder and CEO
BreakChain Capital Investments
Websites: https://www.breakchaincapital.com/   
https://www.breakchaincapex.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pizzurro/