Newrez will begin accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD-backed stablecoins for mortgage qualification in February, allowing borrowers to use cryptocurrency holdings for asset verification and income estimation without liquidating their positions.
The Fort Washington, Pennsylvania-based lender, which originated $44.5 billion in volume through September 2025, claims to be the first among the nation's top 25 mortgage lenders to formally recognize cryptocurrency in mortgage origination.
The program will be available across Newrez's Smart Series non-agency product suite, targeting borrowers who hold digital assets with US-regulated exchanges, brokerages, or banks.
Eligibility and Requirements
Accepted cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, SEC-approved spot exchange-traded funds backed by these assets, and dollar-pegged stablecoins, according to National Mortgage News.
Newrez will apply volatility-adjusted valuations to cryptocurrency holdings during underwriting, though all mortgage payments and closing costs must still be paid in US dollars.
The policy allows crypto holders to qualify for home loans using their digital assets similar to how traditional stocks and bonds currently function in mortgage underwriting, without triggering taxable liquidation events.
Market Context
The move targets younger homebuyers increasingly invested in cryptocurrency, with Coinbase data showing 45% of Generation Z and Millennial investors currently own digital assets as the global crypto market cap exceeds $3.2 trillion.
While specialized lenders including Miami-based Milo and Figure already operate in the crypto mortgage space, Newrez represents the first major traditional lender with significant market share to adopt such policies.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte indicated in June 2025 that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would begin preparing for cryptocurrency use in single-family mortgages, though skeptics cite market volatility as a potential risk requiring additional collateral if asset values decline.
Baron Silverstein, Newrez president, cited increasing crypto adoption by major financial institutions and evolving regulatory developments as factors supporting the February launch timing.