Newrez plans to accept Bitcoin, [Ethereum]https://yellow.com/asset/eth, and dollar-pegged stablecoins in mortgage loan assessments starting in February, allowing borrowers to use their held cryptocurrencies for asset verification and income estimation without having to sell them.
This lender, headquartered in Port Washington, Pennsylvania, claims to have executed $44.5 billion in loans by September 2025 and is the first among the top 25 mortgage lenders in the U.S. to officially recognize cryptocurrency in the mortgage lending process.
This program applies across Newrez's Smart Series non-agency product line and primarily targets borrowers holding digital assets at exchanges, brokerages, and banks under U.S. regulations.
Eligibility requirements and criteria
According to National Mortgage News, recognized cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, SEC-approved spot ETFs based on these assets, and stablecoins pegged to the dollar.
Newrez applies a volatility-adjusted valuation to cryptocurrency holdings during the underwriting process, but all loan repayments and closing costs must still be paid in U.S. dollars.
Through this policy, cryptocurrency holders can qualify for home equity loans using digital assets similarly to how they would with traditional stocks and bonds, and they may avoid triggering taxable sale (liquidation) events.
Read more: Ripple's UC Berkeley Accelerator Graduates Nine XRP Ledger Startups With 92% Fundraising Boost
Market environment
This initiative targets young homebuyers who are actively investing in cryptocurrencies, with Coinbase data indicating that 45% of Gen Z and millennial investors currently hold digital assets, and the global cryptocurrency market capitalization has surpassed $3.2 trillion.
Miami-based lenders like Milo and Figure are already operating in the crypto mortgage market, but Newrez is noted as the first among traditional financial institutions with significant market share to adopt such policies.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director **Bill Pulte** stated that by June 2025, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will begin preparing to utilize cryptocurrencies in single-family mortgages, although skeptics point out the risk of requiring additional collateral in the event of asset value decline due to market volatility.
Newrez President Barron Silverstein explained that the expansion of cryptocurrency acceptance among major financial institutions and changes in the regulatory environment are factors supporting the February launch timeline.
Next read: Binance Postpones DeAgentAI Perpetual Contract Launch Hours Before Trading Start
