Bitcoin is being recognized as money and a store of value, with institutions investing billions in Bitcoin-backed spot ETFs. Newrez, a major US mortgage lender, now allows borrowers to qualify for mortgages using Bitcoin and other top cryptocurrencies. This move signals a shift from speculation to real-world utility, impacting how and when holders might sell.

Newrez will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptos for mortgage qualification starting February 2026. This marks a significant change in the mortgage industry, allowing holders to use their crypto assets as evidence of financial strength when buying a home. Newrez’s move treats crypto similarly to a 401(k) or stock portfolio, a major shift in traditional lending practices.

Newrez’s President, Baron Silverstein, believes it is the right time to integrate eligible crypto assets into mortgage lending, offering innovative financing solutions. The program will launch in February through non-agency Smart Series loans, providing flexibility for the lender and removing the tradeoff of selling Bitcoin to buy a home.

This shift aligns with a broader trend of institutional crypto adoption, with banks and lenders integrating crypto into existing systems. As more lenders follow suit, crypto assets could act as long-term wealth, reducing selling pressure during bull markets and benefiting younger buyers who hold more crypto than stocks.

While this change allows crypto to be used for asset verification in mortgage applications, not every Bitcoin holder will automatically qualify for a home. These non-agency loans may carry higher rates and stricter terms, and price swings in Bitcoin can quickly impact qualification math, requiring lenders to adjust values accordingly.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: US Mortgage Lender Lets Buyers Qualify With Bitcoin: Will BTC USD Explode?