Newrez will begin accepting Bitcoin, [Ethereum]https://yellow.com/asset/eth and dollar-backed stablecoins for mortgage qualification in February, allowing borrowers to use their cryptocurrency holdings for asset verification and income estimation without liquidating their positions.
The Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based lender, which has originated $44.5 billion in volume through September 2025, claims to be the first among the 25 largest mortgage lenders in the country to formally recognize cryptocurrencies in loan origination.
The program will be available across the entire range of Newrez's non-agency Smart Series products, targeting borrowers who hold digital assets with exchanges, brokerage firms, or regulated banks in the United States.
Eligibility and Requirements
Accepted cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, SEC-approved spot ETFs backed by these assets, as well as dollar-indexed stablecoins, according to National Mortgage News.
Newrez will apply volatility-adjusted valuations to cryptocurrency holdings during underwriting, although all mortgage payments and closing costs must still be settled in U.S. dollars.
The policy allows cryptocurrency holders to qualify for mortgage loans by using their digital assets similarly to how traditional stocks and bonds are currently considered in mortgage underwriting, without triggering taxable liquidation events.
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Market Context
The initiative targets young homebuyers increasingly invested in cryptocurrencies, with data from Coinbase showing that 45% of Generation Z and millennial investors currently hold digital assets, as the global crypto market capitalization exceeds $3.2 trillion.
Although specialized lenders, including Miami-based Milo and Figure, are already operating in the cryptocurrency-backed mortgage sector, Newrez represents the first major traditional lender with a significant market share to adopt such policies.
The director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, indicated in June 2025 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would begin preparing for the use of cryptocurrencies in mortgage loans for single-family homes, although skeptics cite market volatility as a potential risk requiring additional collateral if asset values decline.
Baron Silverstein, president of Newrez, cited the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies by major financial institutions and the evolution of regulations as factors supporting the launch timeline in February.
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