For crypto holders who've hesitated to buy a home because they didn't want to liquidate their digital assets, a new mortgage option may change the equation. According to The Wall Street Journal, mortgage giant Fannie Mae will accept crypto-backed mortgages for the first time — a significant step toward bringing digital assets into mainstream homeownership.
Why It Matters
About 14% of American adults owned crypto in 2025, and a 2025 Redfin survey found nearly 13% of millennial and Gen Z homebuyers had already sold crypto to fund down payments. This product serves buyers who want to preserve their crypto exposure — whether to avoid capital gains taxes or maintain a position in digital asset markets.
As digital assets become more mainstream, financing products that integrate crypto into real-world use cases will continue to gain traction. — Josip Rupena, CEO of Milo, a crypto mortgage pioneer since 2022
How Does a Crypto-Backed Mortgage Work?
Mortgage lender Better Home & Finance and crypto exchange Coinbase have jointly launched a product that lets buyers pledge bitcoin or USDC — a popular stablecoin — as collateral for a down payment, rather than converting holdings to cash. The buyer receives a traditional 15- or 30-year Fannie-backed mortgage from Better, plus a separate crypto-collateralized loan covering the down payment.
A few things to know about the structure:
• Pledged crypto cannot be traded while it serves as collateral
• If crypto values drop, the mortgage is not affected as long as payments are current
• Interest rates range from comparable to standard Fannie Mae rates to 1.5 percentage points higher — which can meaningfully increase the total cost of homeownership
Exploring Your Mortgage Options?
Crypto-backed mortgages are one example of how lending is evolving to serve a wider range of buyers. I have access to a strong network of mortgage lenders that offer lending solutions for various types of buyers. Whether you're a first-time buyer, relocating professional, or crypto investor looking to put your digital assets to work, reach out to start the conversation.
Source: The Wall Street Journal. Data references Gallup (2025) and Redfin (2025) surveys.
