The U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is preparing to evaluate whether cryptocurrency holdings could play a role in determining eligibility for home mortgages, marking a potential turning point for the intersection of digital assets and traditional finance.
The initiative was announced by FHFA Director Bill Pulte on Tuesday via the social media platform X. “We will study the usage of cryptocurrency holdings as it relates to qualifying for mortgages,” Pulte wrote, signaling a possible shift in how financial assets are assessed in the housing market.
The FHFA oversees key components of the U.S. housing finance system, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, making its interest in crypto particularly significant for the future of mainstream financial integration.
Crypto and Homeownership?
While the details of the study remain unclear, the FHFA’s willingness to even consider digital assets in mortgage applications reflects the growing legitimacy of cryptocurrencies within regulated financial frameworks.
Pulte did not elaborate on which digital currencies might be considered or whether the study would result in any regulatory changes.
This move arrives amid broader efforts in Washington to define the role of crypto assets in banking, investment, and consumer finance. If pursued, the FHFA’s research could lay groundwork for future rules around using digital wealth as part of the underwriting process for home loans.
A Director Familiar with the Space
Director Pulte, appointed earlier this year under President Donald Trump’s second administration, has a long-standing interest in crypto. Since 2019, he has been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin and blockchain technology. According to a financial disclosure filed in February, Pulte personally holds between $500,001 and $1 million in Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL), as well as equity in crypto mining firm MARA Holdings.
His appointment in March marked a shift toward a more innovation-friendly tone at the agency, and this latest announcement aligns with his prior public support for the digital asset ecosystem.
Next Steps
The FHFA has yet to issue a formal framework or timeline for the study. A spokesperson for the agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Still, the prospect of including crypto holdings in mortgage evaluations raises key questions: How would volatility be accounted for? Would only certain assets qualify? And what kind of documentation would be required?
For now, the announcement shows a broader willingness to rethink how financial value is defined in the digital age. If crypto wealth can eventually help Americans qualify for home ownership, it would mark a major step in closing the gap between decentralized finance and traditional economic infrastructure.
