A group of Senate Democrats is demanding answers from the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) over a controversial move to consider crypto assets in mortgage assessments.
Key Takeaways:
Senate Democrats are pressing FHFA for clarity on plans to include crypto in mortgage assessments. Lawmakers warn the move could pose financial risks due to crypto’s volatility and fraud exposure. Concerns over potential conflicts of interest and lack of transparency are central to the probe.In a letter sent Friday, five senators led by Jeff Merkley raised concerns about FHFA Director William Pulte’s recent directive instructing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore how crypto holdings could factor into mortgage risk evaluations without being converted into US dollars.
The letter, co-signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie Hirono, and Bernie Sanders, calls for a detailed explanation by August 7.
“We urge you to fully assess the potential risks and benefits of your order and its implications for the U.S. housing market and financial system,” the senators wrote.
FHFA Rules Require Crypto to Be Converted Before Mortgage Use
The FHFA has overseen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since the 2008 financial crisis, when both institutions were placed under federal conservatorship.
Under current policy, crypto holdings must be liquidated into fiat before being considered in mortgage applications.
Pulte’s order, however, signals a possible shift. The senators say such a move “could introduce unnecessary risks to consumers and pose serious safety and soundness concerns for the U.S. housing and financial markets.”
They also warned that crypto’s volatility and history of liquidity issues could jeopardize borrowers’ ability to repay loans.
“Borrowers may not be able to exit a crypto position and convert to cash at a price that would allow them to buffer against risk of mortgage default,” they wrote.
Beyond market risk, the senators cited concerns over scams, cyberattacks, and theft, which they say leave homeowners “vulnerable to losing their crypto assets with little hope of recovery.”
The letter also raised potential ethical concerns. “We are concerned about how the FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac will prevent conflicts of interest,” the lawmakers stated, pointing to former President Donald Trump and his family’s involvement in multiple crypto ventures.
The Trumps reportedly have connections to trading platforms, stablecoins, mining businesses, memecoins, and NFTs.
The senators also took direct aim at Pulte, alleging a potential conflict due to his wife’s crypto holdings, which financial disclosures indicate could be worth up to $2 million.
They argue that Pulte’s dual role as FHFA Director and board chair of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is problematic. “You have stacked those boards with industry allies,” the letter said.
Senators Slam FHFA for Lack of Clarity on Crypto Mortgage Order
The lawmakers criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the order, stating it “includes no information on how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would develop a proposal” or how the FHFA would assess risks or collect feedback.
They referenced the 2023 banking crisis, where crypto exposure contributed to the collapse of three banks, as a cautionary tale.
They also noted that in 2021, Fannie Mae concluded that crypto use for deposits, payments, or collateral was the “least appealing application” of blockchain.
The senators asked Pulte to provide internal communications related to the order, details on the approval process, and information on how he plans to address potential conflicts of interest.
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