Coinbase to launch token-backed mortgage down payments this summer
Coinbase and Better Home & Finance plan to let qualified borrowers use Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for Fannie Mae-backed mortgages, with the program expected to launch by summer 2026. The goal is to help homebuyers who can qualify for a mortgage but lack cash for a down payment because their wealth is held in crypto. The move builds on a more crypto-friendly US regulatory climate, including a 2025 FHFA directive telling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider crypto as an asset in mortgage risk assessments without forcing conversion to dollars. Similar offerings have started elsewhere, including Newrez. Supporters say tokenized assets will make mortgage financing more flexible, while critics warn that crypto volatility could add risk to housing markets and financial stability.
