Crypto Demand Hits Underwriting

A growing share of young, affluent investors now hold part of their net worth in cryptocurrency — and many are reluctant to liquidate those positions to buy a home. Non-QM lenders are beginning to adjust.

Newrez has formally integrated eligible cryptocurrency holdings into its non-agency underwriting framework, allowing borrowers to use digital assets for qualification without selling them. The move places crypto alongside traditional securities accounts within the company’s Smart Series product suite, reflecting a shift in how borrowers structure their wealth.

Other non-QM lenders are moving in the same direction. Newfi Lending recently expanded its Sequoia DSCR program to allow borrowers to count a portion of Bitcoin and Ethereum toward reserve requirements without liquidation. Under Newfi’s guidelines, up to 25% of Bitcoin and Ethereum held in a Coinbase account and up to 50% of crypto ETFs or mutual funds held at institutions such as Fidelity or Schwab may be applied toward reserves, with total crypto capped at 50% of required reserves.

How It Works

Under the updated framework, eligible cryptocurrency holdings may be considered as part of the asset analysis when qualifying a borrower. Crypto is not accepted as currency for down payments, and borrowers must still close in U.S. dollars.

“The suitability is the same,” said Baron Silverstein, president of Newrez. “All we're doing is accepting crypto assets to qualify, so it would be no different from looking at somebody's securities account.”

Silverstein described the rollout as a measured first step within the non-agency channel, structured around established underwriting discipline rather than a new risk model. “We felt that, at least in the non-agency space, that this was an appropriate first move for us,” he said.

He noted that the approach mirrors how the GSEs treat other volatile assets held in securities accounts. “The GSEs are very prescriptive about the haircuts that they allow or require for assets in an individual's securities portfolio account,” Silverstein said, pointing to holdings such as gold futures that also fluctuate in value.

Newrez evaluated crypto using a similar framework. Silverstein emphasized that the program does not alter core underwriting standards. “When you benchmark it in that manner, it really just becomes evaluating a price regression analysis and then what haircuts you feel are appropriate from a risk perspective on consumer-owned crypto,” he said.

Why Now?

Silverstein said demand among younger investors, ages 18 to 40, helped drive the decision, noting that borrower balance sheets increasingly include digital assets. “When we have conversations with clients — you hear it more and more — customers say they have crypto as part of their investment strategy,” he said.

The company’s press release cited the expanding global cryptocurrency market and noted that an estimated 45% of Gen Z and Millennial investors (also considered future homebuyers) own crypto.

Survey data from Coinbase shows nearly half of young investors own cryptocurrencies and rank crypto second only to real estate as a top growth opportunity. A YouGov investment trends report found Millennial and Gen Z investors are more likely to own crypto than a retirement account and are as likely to own cryptocurrency as they are to own real estate.

“My kids own crypto; I don't,” Silverstein said. “I'm an old dog, and they have grown up in the digital age. They're a lot more comfortable with the digital experience and using digital tools with what they do every single day.”

At the same time, Silverstein acknowledged that traditional agency programs have not yet adapted to recognize crypto assets for mortgage qualification. He framed Newrez’s move as a response to generational change.

“I think that the new customer is likely going to have crypto as part of their investment,” he continued. “That's why I felt like this was a really good first step into the approval process for when they decide to buy a home.”

What It Means for Loan Officers

For loan officers, the update expands the range of borrowers who may qualify without restructuring their balance sheets.

“I think this will be a really big benefit for loan officers to support their customers,” Silverstein said. “If a customer comes to them and says, ‘look, 50% of my assets are in crypto,’ then they absolutely will have an option to say, ‘yeah, that can work for this type of mortgage.’”

Reaching those borrowers may require different referral strategies. A November survey from crypto infrastructure company Zerohash found that 35% of wealthy young Americans earning between $100,000 and $1 million annually had moved money away from advisors who do not offer crypto exposure. More than half of those reallocations involved between $250,000 and $1 million. The study found many younger investors rely on friends, family and online platforms such as YouTube for financial information.

Silverstein said he expects both advisors and competing lenders to adapt. “I would be surprised if you don't see others follow suit,” he said. “That’s just my guidance and gauge on how competitive our industry is.”

The Bottom Line 

Crypto is no longer a fringe conversation. For a growing segment of borrowers, it’s a meaningful line item on the balance sheet.

For loan officers, that shifts the initial discovery conversation. Instead of asking whether assets exist, the better question may be where they are held — brokerage account, retirement fund, or digital wallet. Borrowers who appear liquidity-constrained on paper may be asset-strong, but unwilling to trigger a taxable event or exit a volatile position to qualify.

Non-QM lenders are beginning to structure policy around that reality. Originators who understand which investors will recognize crypto, how haircuts are applied, and where caps apply can turn what looks like a declined file into a viable approval.

The opportunity remains limited by volatility and investor overlays. But as more wealth migrates into digital assets, the ability to navigate crypto within underwriting guidelines may become a competitive advantage rather than a niche skill.