Crypto Investors May Soon Qualify for Mortgages Under New FHFA Policy
A potential change in U.S. mortgage regulations could soon make it easier for cryptocurrency investors to purchase homes. On June 28, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood shared on X (formerly Twitter) that a new directive from William Pulte — the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) — could have a significant yet underestimated impact on the mortgage and crypto sectors.
According to Wood, this new directive might lead to major shifts in traditional lending systems. She commented that the policy could provide a substantial boost to both the housing and digital asset markets, adding:
"I don't think the implications of this policy are fully understood."
The directive, issued on June 25, instructs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to begin developing policies that consider cryptocurrency—specifically assets held on U.S.-regulated centralized exchanges—as part of a borrower's financial reserves. Importantly, these holdings wouldn't need to be converted into U.S. dollars. The FHFA believes this could enhance the accuracy of mortgage risk assessments and expand homeownership opportunities for individuals with digital assets.
To reduce potential risks, the directive includes provisions such as applying value discounts to account for crypto volatility and requiring oversight from relevant boards. This move reflects a significant policy evolution, acknowledging that cryptocurrencies can represent legitimate wealth—especially for those excluded by traditional financial systems.
However, the crypto community has raised concerns. Critics pointed out that the policy only recognizes assets stored on centralized platforms, which goes against the decentralized philosophy many crypto enthusiasts hold dear. One user remarked:
“This only counts centralized crypto holdings—completely against the ethos of bitcoin. I wouldn’t support this.”
Despite these objections, Wood welcomed the initiative, suggesting it could help digital asset holders overcome longstanding barriers to mortgage eligibility. She noted that many Bitcoin investors have the bulk of their wealth in crypto, making it hard for them to qualify for traditional home loans.
“Bitcoin holders likely have most of their net worth in digital assets, and that’s prevented them from securing mortgages. This could finally open a door—maybe they’ll move some of their BTC to Coinbase to use it as collateral for a home they never thought they could buy,” Wood added.
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