Coinbase and Better launch America’s first Bitcoin-collateralized Fannie Mae mortgage, allowing homebuyers to keep crypto while purchasing homes.
A major milestone has arrived for both the housing and cryptocurrency industries. The first Fannie Mae-backed mortgage backed by Bitcoin has been successfully originated in the United States, Coinbase announced. The loan was issued and is being serviced by Better, while Coinbase provides the technology infrastructure supporting the program.
This is a new financing avenue for cryptocurrency owners. Eligible borrowers can use their Bitcoin assets as collateral for a down payment instead of selling their bitcoins to pay for a home. This means that homeowners may be able to buy property and still hold their cryptocurrency investments.
Coinbase and Better Launch New Mortgage Option
The mortgage program will roll out across the country this summer, according to Coinbase. The company claims the product will help make homeownership more accessible to Americans who have built wealth through digital assets. In addition, the mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae, like other conforming home loans.
Get your house and keep your crypto.
Crypto-backed mortgages are here – increasing access to homeownership for millions of Americans.
Buy a home without converting your portfolio by using BTC or USDC as collateral for your down payment.
Offered by Better, powered by Coinbase. pic.twitter.com/9hfL3fVty5
— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) March 26, 2026
The first funded mortgage is a significant milestone in the journey of bringing digital assets into the mainstream of financial products. Until now, most mortgage lenders have only been able to consider cryptocurrency when it has been converted into cash.
Coinbase noted that borrowers can put up Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for their down payment. This means that they might not sell long-term investments and may forfeit future profits. Furthermore, liquidation can have short-term tax implications for the borrower, which may be avoided by choosing not to liquidate.
Related Reading: Coinbase Freezes $3M in Asia Crypto Scam Crackdown
The company also revealed benefits for Coinbase One members. Eligible members who are approved for a mortgage may be eligible for a rebate of 1% of the mortgage value. The rebate, however, is limited to $10,000 and is meant to assist with closing costs and other fees.
Rising Housing Costs Create New Challenges
The launch is welcome as homeownership is becoming more difficult for many Americans. The high interest rates, rising home prices, and lack of homes have continued to strain potential buyers. The median age of a first-time homebuyer has increased to 40, according to data shared by Coinbase.
The issue of housing affordability is a national problem. A typical family would spend about 36% of their income on mortgage payments on a median-priced new home in the second quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, lower-income households often required more than 71% of their income for the same purpose.
The traditional mortgage qualification criteria are primarily based on income history, credit scores, and cash reserves. So, those who already have a lot of money will have better access to financing. This can deepen the intergenerational wealth divide over time.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans have built up significant wealth in digital assets. But, in general, those holdings have been underutilized in the traditional mortgage underwriting process. This meant that many prospective buyers were unable to use their crypto assets without selling them first.
Coinbase thinks this new mortgage structure could be a solution to that problem. The company aims to bridge the gap between owning Bitcoin and owning a home by enabling borrowers to retain their cryptocurrencies while securing financing for their homes.