Fannie Mae is set to begin accepting crypto-backed mortgages for the first time, marking a significant step in integrating digital assets into the US housing finance system, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Coinbase, Fannie Mae Open Door to Crypto-Backed Mortgages: WSJ
26 March 2026 - 14:00 CET
By Sandmark staff
The initiative, launched with Coinbase and Better Home & Finance, would allow borrowers to pledge Bitcoin or stablecoins, such as USDC, as collateral for a down payment instead of selling holdings, according to the WSJ.
The structure enables borrowers to take out a standard Fannie-backed mortgage while securing a separate loan underwritten by crypto, allowing them to retain exposure and avoid capital gains tax from liquidation. However, the model comes with higher costs, with rates on the second loan up to 1.5 percentage points above traditional mortgages, while pledged assets cannot be traded during the loan term.
