However, the most attractive upside is the potential currency gain due against the currently weak British pound.

I agree with you Kim that RE itself is a hedge against inflation, which is really a devaluation of currency.

Depending upon whether they are a bank or a trust company, custodians are heavily regulated by the IRS, DOL, and possibly the FDIC, State Banking Commissioner, and the Comptroller of the Currency.

Started my first savings account immediately. 12 years old opened my first Money Market Account19 years old opened my first brokerage account and invested in Mutual Funds21 years old opened up an E*Trade account and bought an individual stock 22 years old bought first Single Family Home (SFH)24 years old opened a ROTH IRA account25 years old turned 1st SFH into rental property 33 years old started a Thrift Savings account41 years old bought crypto currency 42 years old bought and sold first flip property42 years old opened a Self Directed IRA43 years old investing in Hard Money Lending43 years old started a Solo 401K***All the years I always invested in learning from anyone and everyone that was an expert in all of the above.

There the only currency exchange I've experienced when taking a shot to fund through them.

Read Treasury Dept. rulings, FDIC, Comptroller of Currency, that's where you get information.This old pathfinder has no incentive or reason to take people down the wrong path, those who complain along the trail simply don't want to be where they are.

So I will hold onto my gold and use paper currency only to derive profit from the acquisition of real estate deals...and only as a choice I will convert that currency into gold bullion as another means for diversification. 

@Sam ShuehIn the self-directed retirement space, you can be your own "custodian" and invest in assets that you choose - real estate, cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), private loans - because you control the money.When others hold your assets, you should perform extra due diligence.

I am also an active trader for my own personal accounts, trading a pretty wide array of asset classes; stocks, options, warrants, futures, bonds, currencies, and am just starting research in mortgage notes.I've got a few rehab deals under my belt the last couple of years, and I am looking to begin ramping up my efforts.I'll send you a Colleague Request.Regards,-Rob 

However, you have to remember that NYC is city for 2nd, 3rd, 4th homes for the uber rich, and as we've found out -- many billionaires from China, Russia, [used to be] Brazil, etc were just simply parking their money in these condos NOT to live, but rather to hide and hedge their currency from their government, who could confiscate their bank accounts in an instant.