Bitcoin is money and a store of value. While the USD serves this very role in times of turbulence, it is quicker to more BTC around without fearing censorship. Given its intrinsic properties, Bitcoin is now finding adoption. Besides institutions that have been pouring their billions buying BTC-backed spot Bitcoin ETFs, Bitcoin is finding support from banks.
This week, Newrez, a major US mortgage lender, crossed a line many thought was years away. The lender announced it will allow borrowers to qualify for mortgages using Bitcoin and other top crypto to buy. This matters because home buying is the final boss of personal finance. When crypto counts toward that goal, it signals a shift from speculation to real-world utility. And for long-term holders, it changes how and when you might sell.
In response, the Bitcoin price held firm, finding support above $95,000, building on from gains of early this week. And Bitcoin, including the next cryptos to explode, could edge higher since Newrez news fits a wider push by institutions to treat crypto like real money, not a hobby.
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From February 2026, Newrez said it will allow borrowers to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptos to qualify for a mortgage. This is a massive shift in the mortgage industry. Previously, if you were “crypto-rich” but “cash-poor,” banks would treat your Bitcoin as if it didn’t exist unless you sold it and let the cash sit in a bank for approximately three months to “season”.
By accepting Bitcoin, Newrez is simply saying that holding Bitcoin and other approved crypto is enough evidence that you have enough financial strength to buy a home. You no longer need to sell first just to look “bank-approved.” This shift, coming from Newrez, is a traditional giant, not an experimental “crypto-native” startup, and is massive for the industry. For what’s clear, their new policy treats crypto similarly to how a lender treats a 401(k) or a stock portfolio.
Baron Silverstein, President of Newrez, said the timing is right and “prudent”.
Today, an increasing number of consumers include crypto in their investment portfolios, while major financial institutions are deepening their involvement in crypto assets, supported by key regulatory developments. 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.”
In less than two weeks, every BTC holder who wants to own a home won’t have to sell Bitcoin to get approved. They simply keep their “upside” in the market while using the value of those coins to prove you have the wealth to pay back the loan. Newrez will simply use Bitcoin for asset verification and income estimation. However, to keep their baseline safe due to Bitcoin volatility, Newrez will adjust valuation. For example, if you have $100,000 in Bitcoin, they might only count it as $50,000 or $60,000 toward your qualification to protect themselves if the market dips.
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The program officially launches in February through Newrez’s non-agency Smart Series loans. These sit outside government-backed loans, which explains why the lender has more flexibility. Newrez accepting Bitcoin and top cryptos removes a painful tradeoff many holders faced. Before, buying a home often meant selling Bitcoin, triggering taxes, and missing future upside. Now, crypto can sit next to stocks and cash on a mortgage application.
This fits a broader trend of institutional crypto adoption. Banks, brokers, and lenders are building crypto into existing systems instead of forcing users to cash out first. As 99bitcoins recently reported, MicroStrategy added to its stash, buying $1.2Bn of BTC in the first half of January.
If more lenders follow, crypto stops being a side asset and starts acting like long-term wealth. That could reduce selling pressure during bull markets. Fewer forced liquidations mean steadier demand. Younger buyers also benefit most. Many first-time home buyers hold more crypto than stocks. This change meets them where their money already lives instead of pushing them back into old rails. There is also a signaling effect. Once mortgage underwriting accepts crypto, it becomes harder for other financial products to ignore it. Credit lines, refinancing, and business loans come next.
Still, this does not mean every Bitcoin holder gets a house. These loans sit in non-agency programs, which often carry higher rates and stricter terms. Price swings still matter. If Bitcoin drops sharply during underwriting, your qualification math changes fast. Lenders may require buffers or haircut values. This is not a free pass.
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Read original story US Mortgage Lender Lets Buyers Qualify With Bitcoin: Will BTC USD Explode? by Dalmas Ngetich at 99bitcoins.com
