Newrez, a prominent mortgage lender and servicer, is set to innovate the mortgage qualification process by allowing the recognition of cryptocurrency assets beginning February 2026. This groundbreaking initiative aims to bridge the divide between digital finance and the traditional housing market, reflecting a significant shift in how mortgages are processed.
The new program, categorized under Newrez’s Smart Series product suite, will enable borrowers to utilize their holdings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, USD-pegged stablecoins, and spot crypto exchange-traded funds for asset verification. Furthermore, these crypto holdings can also play a role in determining income for mortgage loan applications. The Smart Series specifically caters to borrowers who may not conform to conventional government-backed lending criteria, offering non-qualified mortgage loans tailored to a modern financial landscape.
Baron Silverstein, President of Newrez, emphasized that this integration is a necessary evolution in lending practices, particularly as the crypto industry becomes more entwined with traditional financial systems. Internal data highlighted that approximately 45% of Gen Z and Millennial investors currently own cryptocurrency, making this demographic a key segment of first-time homebuyers. Historically, many lenders have mandated that these borrowers liquidate their cryptocurrency holdings to prove their financial reserves, which not only triggers taxable events but often forces them out of the housing market altogether.
Silverstein commented on the timing of this initiative, stating, “We believe that now is the right time to prudently integrate eligible crypto assets into modern mortgage lending—enabling consumers to preserve investments while accessing innovative financing solutions.”
As part of this new policy, borrowers can qualify for mortgages without the need to sell their crypto assets. However, Newrez will implement market-adjusted valuations to mitigate risks associated with the volatile nature of cryptocurrency prices. This careful approach aims to ensure that both lenders and borrowers can navigate this changing financial landscape responsibly.
Leslie Gillin, Chief Commercial Officer at Newrez, highlighted the company’s mission to facilitate homeownership through innovative solutions. “Our mission at Newrez is to do everything possible to make home happen, and this innovation marks yet another step in creating new pathways to homeownership, giving consumers flexibility and control,” she remarked.
While the new program opens doors for cryptocurrency-integrated mortgages, it also comes with strict guidelines. Borrowers will still be required to make their down payments and cover closing costs in US dollars. In addition, all eligible crypto assets must be maintained by US-regulated entities, such as compliant exchanges, retail FinTech applications, or SEC- or FINRA-regulated brokerages. This stipulation effectively rules out the use of assets held in self-custody wallets or decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, thereby ensuring a more secure and regulated environment for transactions.
The announcement coincides with a broader regulatory shift in Washington, where the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has begun to incorporate cryptocurrency into mortgage risk modeling. In June 2025, the FHFA issued a directive calling on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore proposals for including digital assets in single-family loan risk assessments. This move is indicative of a evolving relationship between federal housing regulators and the crypto sector, representing a notable change in U.S. financial policy under the previous administration.
Overall, Newrez’s initiative to recognize cryptocurrency assets is poised to reshape the landscape of mortgage lending and provide new opportunities for a generation increasingly invested in digital currencies.
