Key Highlights
- A pioneering Bitcoin-secured mortgage solution is now accessible to American homebuyers through Better Mortgage and Coinbase
- Homebuyers must collateralize Bitcoin valued at a minimum of 250% of their down payment loan amount without liquidating their cryptocurrency
- Members of Coinbase One receive a lender credit worth 1% of the mortgage value, with a maximum benefit of $10,000 applied to closing expenses
- Fluctuations in Bitcoin’s market value alone will not initiate margin calls, though payment delinquencies may result in asset liquidation
- General availability commenced on August 12, after a waitlist period that indicated more than $260 million in anticipated loan demand
A groundbreaking mortgage solution from Better Mortgage and Coinbase is now accessible to homebuyers across the United States, enabling them to leverage Bitcoin as security for their down payment while maintaining ownership of their digital assets.
This innovative financing structure combines a conventional Fannie Mae-guaranteed home loan with a supplementary down payment loan collateralized by Bitcoin. Applicants are required to secure the loan with Bitcoin holdings valued at no less than 250% of the requested down payment amount.
The collateralized Bitcoin assets are moved into Better’s designated custodial account managed through Coinbase Prime. These digital assets are released back to the homeowner upon complete mortgage repayment or successful refinancing.
Loan Structure and Mechanics
Both financing components feature identical interest rates and amortization schedules. Homeowners consolidate their obligations into one streamlined monthly payment that satisfies both loan agreements.
Market volatility affecting Bitcoin price movements will not independently activate margin calls or alter the mortgage agreement terms. Nevertheless, borrowers who become 60 days delinquent on their payment obligations face potential liquidation of their pledged Bitcoin collateral by Better.
Eligibility requires US residency status and a validated Coinbase account. Applicants must also satisfy Better’s conventional creditworthiness and income verification standards.
Subscribers to Coinbase One qualify for a lender credit calculated at 1% of the total mortgage amount, restricted to a $10,000 maximum. This financial benefit reduces closing costs and appears on the official closing disclosure documentation.
Coinbase One subscribers gained access to this mortgage product on August 12. The collaborative partnership was initially unveiled in March, with a preliminary waitlist opening in June.
Robust Initial Interest
The waitlist phase demonstrated substantial market appetite for the product. According to the partner companies, 76% of waitlist participants were existing Coinbase One subscribers, while 60% expressed intentions to purchase property within a six-month timeframe.
Anticipated loan volume derived from waitlist data surpassed $260 million prior to the public launch.
Better reports that 41% of its pre-qualified applicants meet income and credit standards but lack sufficient liquid assets for conventional down payment requirements. The company’s cumulative loan originations have exceeded $110 billion throughout its operational history.
The mortgage program accepts both Bitcoin and USDC as acceptable forms of collateral for securing the down payment loan.
This product introduction aligns with broader industry trends as additional financial institutions begin incorporating cryptocurrency assets into mortgage underwriting processes. Newrez made headlines in January 2026 by announcing it would recognize specific crypto holdings in mortgage evaluations beginning in February.
During June 2025, the Federal Housing Finance Agency issued directives to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requesting exploration of methodologies to incorporate cryptocurrency holdings maintained on regulated domestic exchanges as viable assets in mortgage risk evaluation frameworks, eliminating the requirement for dollar conversion.
American residential real estate prices continue hovering near all-time peaks. Federal Reserve statistics indicate the median purchase price for newly constructed US homes reached approximately $400,000 throughout 2026.
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