Key Takeaways:
The FHFA has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore the use of cryptocurrency in mortgage asset verification. Industry insiders said the move may allow digital assets to be counted as collateral in home loan underwriting. Analysts warn that introducing crypto could mirror pre-2008 lending risks due to volatility and unclear guidance.The U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has instructed government-backed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to evaluate the inclusion of cryptocurrency in asset verification processes for residential loans.
According to a report published by Caixin on June 27, multiple unnamed industry sources said the directive could allow homebuyers to use digital assets as collateral in mortgage underwriting.
Crypto as Mortgage Collateral May Prompt Systemic Risk
“After significant studying, and in keeping with President Trump’s vision to make the United States the crypto capital of the world, today I ordered the Great Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare their businesses to count cryptocurrency as an asset for a mortgage,” wrote FHFA Director Bill Putle on social media.
Analysts believe this would alter how financial institutions assess risk, particularly for borrowers with substantial crypto holdings.
An anonymous crypto industry insider told Caixin the policy direction would likely be welcomed by the sector. But the person cautioned that linking mortgage qualification to volatile assets introduces systemic risks.
The source said that although the update is undoubtedly positive news for the crypto industry, the volatility of the cryptocurrency market will directly impact the mortgage market and the next subprime mortgage crisis would only be a matter of time.
Lenders Face New Challenges
Some economists have drawn comparisons to pre-2008 subprime practices, where inflated asset values obscured borrower fragility. A former housing policy official interviewed by Caixin noted that allowing crypto to backstop loans could replicate those dynamics under a new name.
In the absence of clear guidance, lenders may interpret asset verification discretion differently. Several industry observers said this could create uneven standards, particularly if crypto valuations fluctuate significantly during loan approval.
While the timeline and scope of potential changes remain unclear, market participants are preparing for policy shifts. Industry associations have reportedly begun internal discussions on how to measure digital asset volatility in loan stress tests and risk models.
The idea of integrating crypto assets into mortgage underwriting underscores a broader shift in how alternative forms of wealth are being treated by legacy institutions. Financial regulators and lenders are under pressure to modernize risk models that were originally designed for traditional income and asset classes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Volatile assets could cause sudden drops in collateral value, increasing the chance of borrower default if market corrections occur during the loan term.
Lenders may need to develop systems to verify digital wallet balances through third-party attestations or integrate blockchain analytics tools into compliance checks.
Some private fintech lenders offer crypto-backed loans, but these operate outside of federally regulated mortgage systems like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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