Coinbase and Better Launch Crypto Mortgage Product for Homebuyers

Coinbase’s New Crypto Mortgage Lets Buyers Keep Their Bitcoin

Highlights

1. Coinbase and Better launched a product that lets qualified buyers pledge Bitcoin or USDC for a separate down payment loan tied to a standard Fannie Mae-backed Crypto Mortgage.

2. Sovcombank has also rolled out BTC-secured business lending in Russia, showing that banks in different markets are testing digital assets as collateral.

Source: X Official

A New Option for U.S. Homebuyers

WuBlockchain highlighted Reuters’ report that Coinbase and Better Home & Finance have introduced a Crypto Mortgage option for qualified U.S. buyers. Under the structure, Bitcoin or USDC held on Coinbase can be pledged as collateral for a separate loan that covers the cash down payment on a standard conforming mortgage. The goal is to let buyers access housing finance without selling their holdings at closing, which may help preserve upside and defer a taxable sale.

1. The down payment financing is separate from the main home loan.

2. Better originates and services the loans.

How the Structure Works

Better said the first Crypto Mortgage is designed under Fannie Mae guidelines, while the pledged-asset portion is privately financed. Coinbase said mortgage terms and rates do not change with bitcoin price swings after the loan begins, and there are no margin calls as long as the borrower stays current on payments. Better added that pledged collateral is generally only at risk of liquidation after a 60-day payment delinquency. 

1. No margin calls apply while payments remain on time.

2. Liquidation risk generally starts after 60 days of missed payments.

Sovcombank’s Bitcoin-Backed Lending Move

A similar idea is now visible in Russia. Sovcombank said it launched BTC-backed Crypto Mortgage loans for companies, including miners and other business clients. Reports on the launch said the bank applies a 50% collateral haircut, meaning a firm that pledges $100,000 in bitcoin can borrow about $50,000. That safety buffer is designed to protect the lender if prices fall sharply, while still letting the borrower keep exposure to future gains instead of selling treasury holdings for cash.

1. The product is aimed at corporate borrowers, not retail homebuyers.

2. The 50% rule creates a cushion against sudden market drops.

Why This Matters for the Market

Taken together, these launches show that more lenders are exploring ways to use digital holdings inside familiar credit products. There is no verified evidence that Coinbase copied Sovcombank, but both moves point to the same trend: borrowers want liquidity without a forced sale, and banks are testing structured ways to provide it. As more people learn about decentralization, onchain finance, and token-based ownership, products like this may draw more attention. 

Conclusion:

 The Coinbase-Better launch and Sovcombank’s BTC-backed Crypto Mortgage lending product show that digital assets are starting to find a place in mainstream credit models. While these products remain limited and carefully structured, they reflect growing interest in using token holdings for real-world financing without forcing a sale.