Better and Coinbase Launch Bitcoin-Backed Mortgage Product for US Homebuyers

Better Mortgage and Coinbase have made their Bitcoin-backed mortgage product generally available, allowing US homebuyers to pledge BTC as collateral for a down payment without selling their holdings. Announced on Wednesday, the offering pairs a Fannie Mae-backed home loan with a separate down payment loan secured by Bitcoin, according to Coinbase's Help Center.

Borrowers must pledge BTC worth at least 250% of the down payment loan, with the assets transferred to Better's custodial account on Coinbase Prime. The two loans carry the same interest rate and amortization term and are repaid through a single monthly payment. The pledged Bitcoin is returned once the mortgage is fully repaid or refinanced, subject to loan terms. Price declines alone do not trigger margin calls or changes to mortgage terms, though Better can liquidate the BTC if a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent on payments. Eligible borrowers must be US residents with a verified Coinbase account and must meet Better's credit, income, and underwriting requirements. Coinbase One members qualify for a 1% rebate from Better, capped at $10,000, applicable toward closing costs and fees.

Better and Coinbase first announced the token-backed mortgage in March through an early-access program. The broader rollout comes as US regulators push to integrate digital assets into mortgage underwriting. In June 2025, the Federal Housing Finance Agency directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop proposals that consider cryptocurrency held on US-regulated centralized exchanges as an asset in single-family mortgage risk assessments, without requiring conversion to US dollars. The directive also required the government-sponsored enterprises to evaluate risk-mitigation measures for crypto volatility and submit proposed changes to their boards before FHFA review.

Other US lenders are following a similar path. Mortgage lender and servicer Newrez announced in January that it would recognize certain cryptocurrency holdings when evaluating mortgage applications beginning in February, including for home purchases. The Better-Coinbase product signals growing institutional acceptance of digital assets within the US housing finance system.