Coinbase–Better Deal Enables Mortgages Secured By Bitcoin And USDC

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-06-06Last updated on 2026-06-06

Abstract

Better Mortgage, in partnership with Coinbase, is launching a U.S. home loan product that accepts Bitcoin and USDC as collateral, with a nationwide rollout planned for summer 2026. The first loan has already been issued to a couple in Michigan. A key distinction from earlier crypto-backed loans is the involvement of Fannie Mae, which provides a conforming guarantee, effectively treating digital assets as valid collateral. The product also differs by not subjecting the crypto collateral to liquidation if its value declines; the assets remain in custody for the loan's entire term. Better projects an initial loan volume of $250 million based on early sign-ups and plans to expand to other digital assets like tokenized stocks.

Better Mortgage already has a waitlist open for a new home loan product that accepts Bitcoin and USDC as collateral, with plans to launch nationwide this summer and a projected loan volume of $250 million based on signups so far.

How The Product Works

The mortgage lender is partnering with crypto exchange Coinbase to power the transactions behind the scenes.

Borrowers with significant Bitcoin holdings are connected to Better through Coinbase’s product interface, where they go through the application process, get approved, and then authorize their Bitcoin to move into a custodial wallet with a single click, according to Roy Zhang, Coinbase’s director of product.

The first loan under the arrangement was issued to a couple in Ann Arbor, Michigan, identified only as Joe and Amy. Joe said the setup gave him confidence because their Bitcoin remained secure in a custody account rather than being sold off to cover a down payment.

Source: Fannie Mae

Fannie Mae Backing Adds Weight

What sets this product apart from earlier crypto-collateralized lending experiments is the involvement of Fannie Mae. The government-sponsored enterprise, which announced in March that it would begin accepting crypto for mortgage down payments, provided the conforming guarantee that makes the loan a standard financial instrument.

BTCUSD now trading at $61,986. Chart: TradingView

Better founder and CEO Vishal Garg called that backing significant, saying it amounts to a US government-sponsored enterprise accepting digital assets in place of cash held in a bank account as collateral. He added that the product is expected to expand beyond Bitcoin and USDC to other digital assets, including tokenized stocks, over time.

No Liquidation For Borrowers

One detail that distinguishes the product from standard margin-backed lending is that the collateral is not subject to liquidation. Under the current structure, the pledged Bitcoin and USDC stay in custody for the life of the loan without being sold down if their value falls.

Coinbase announced the first funded loan on X, describing it as the first-ever Fannie Mae-insured mortgage backed by Bitcoin in the US. The full rollout is expected before the end of summer, with Better handling loan servicing and Coinbase managing the underlying digital asset infrastructure.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Related Questions

QWhat is the new mortgage product being launched by Better Mortgage, and what unique collateral does it accept?

ABetter Mortgage is launching a new home loan product that accepts Bitcoin and USDC as collateral.

QWhich company is Better Mortgage partnering with to power the transactions for this new mortgage product?

ABetter Mortgage is partnering with the crypto exchange Coinbase to power the transactions.

QWhat major government-sponsored enterprise is backing this crypto-collateralized mortgage product, and why is its involvement significant?

AFannie Mae is backing the product. Its involvement is significant because it provides a conforming guarantee, making the loan a standard financial instrument and represents a government-sponsored enterprise accepting digital assets as collateral.

QHow does the handling of the collateral in this product differ from standard margin-backed lending?

AUnlike standard margin-backed lending, the collateral (Bitcoin and USDC) is not subject to liquidation; it stays in custody for the loan's life without being sold if its value falls.

QWhat was the projected loan volume for the new product based on initial signups, and when is the nationwide launch planned?

AThe projected loan volume based on signups so far is $250 million, with plans for a nationwide launch in the summer.

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