Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
U.S. Prepares to Count Crypto in Mortgage Rules
Crypto Adoption | June 27, 2025
Image: Freepik/studiogstock
U.S. Housing Agency Tells Lenders to Prepare for Crypto in Mortgage Risk Assessments
For the first time, cryptocurrency is being considered in U.S. mortgage financing. On June 25, 2025, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) told Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare proposals that would let homebuyers include crypto assets when being assessed for their mortgage applications.
In a public post on X, FHFA Director Bill Pulte said this change supports the U.S. goal of becoming a global leader in crypto. The order allows crypto to be included as a financial reserve, meaning lenders could soon treat some digital assets the same way they treat cash or stocks when reviewing mortgage risk. This is not a new rule yet but it's the start of a planning phase where the agencies will write and review draft policies.
See: The Intersection of Fintech and Real Estate: How Innovation is Rebuilding the Foundation of Property Transactions
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.
SO ORDERED pic.twitter.com/Tg9ReJQXC3
— Pulte (@pulte) June 25, 2025
What It Means for Homebuyers
- Buyers wouldn't have to sell their crypto to meet mortgage reserve requirements, which can help them avoid triggering untimely tax bills
- The assets will count only as financial reserves, not as income
- Only crypto held on regulated U.S. platforms will qualify. Wallets outside those platforms including self-custody will likely not be accepted
- Because prices can move quickly, Fannie and Freddie are expected to apply discounts when valuing these assets, a move known as a "haircut."
Remarkable to see the crypto sentiment change so rapidly in the United States. This latest change reflects the wider effort by U.S. officials to include digital assets in traditional finance. An article in Barron’s noted that reserve rules may apply to bitcoin, ether, and other widely held tokens. The Washington Post also reported concerns about volatility, especially with some tokens rising or falling by 40% or more in a single day.
What This Means for Fintech in Canada
While this directive applies only in the United States, it sends a strong message. If crypto is accepted in mainstream mortgage reviews, financial technology firms in Canada may start building new tools to support similar models. That could include connecting wallets to mortgage applications or building credit models that accept tokenized savings.
See: Halal Mortgage Financier, Manzil, Crosses $50 Million
For Canadian fintechs focused on lending, payments, or digital identity, this is an early signal of significant changes to come. With more Canadians holding crypto, pressure will likely grow for Canadian regulators to respond or risk falling behind global standards. That's what happens when your a country deemed 'fast follower'.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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