Better Home and Finance Launches Crypto-Backed Mortgage with Coinbase

Better Home and Finance, in partnership with Coinbase, launched a crypto-backed mortgage program in May 2026, allowing homebuyers to use Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for a down payment.

Eligible borrowers receive two loans: a conforming Fannie Mae mortgage and a separate loan secured by the pledged cryptocurrency. Better holds the crypto through Coinbase until the loan is repaid.

The collateralization ratio is steep. A borrower with $100,000 in Bitcoin receives $40,000 in down payment credit, a 40 percent ratio. This makes the product primarily accessible to buyers with substantial crypto holdings.

Fannie Mae's involvement is significant. The government-sponsored enterprise updated its guidelines to allow crypto holdings to be considered in mortgage applications, a shift from previous policy.

The program targets the estimated 52 million Americans who own digital assets. For most buyers, traditional down payment methods remain more practical given the collateral requirements.

There is a risk for borrowers: if a borrower is 60 days delinquent on payments, Better can liquidate the crypto collateral to cover the debt. Crypto price volatility adds another layer of risk not present in traditional mortgages.

Experian reported the product launch as part of its May 2026 personal finance news coverage. The publication noted that the product represents a new intersection of traditional mortgage lending and digital asset markets.