Mortgages with cryptocurrencies: the USA revolution led by Cynthia Lummis

In the United States, a new model of access to cryptocurrency mortgages is emerging that could rewrite the rules of real estate credit even in Europe. A revolutionary proposal presented to the Senate opens the door to the use of bitcoin and other digital assets as collateral to obtain a home loan, addressing the growing need of younger generations to leverage their digital savings.

Bitcoin and mortgages: the Lummis proposal and the change that divides

Senator Cynthia Lummis has promoted the bill known as the “21st Century Mortgage Act”, which aims to make official the orientation of the [Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In practice, institutions like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be called to also consider assets in cryptocurrencies in the evaluation of mortgage applications. The proposal is recent, presented in 2025, and is currently under discussion in the US Congress.

According to a Redfin survey from 2022, in the United States over 12% of buyers under 35 stated that they sold cryptocurrencies to finance the purchase of a home, a percentage that reflects a growing trend among young people.

Risks and advantages of a digital mortgage: what you really need to know

Accepting digital assets as collateral for the mortgage represents an innovative bet but introduces new risks. The price volatility of cryptocurrencies, often exceeding 10% in a few days, can make the collateral itself unreliable.

At the same time, this opening can facilitate access to credit for young people and for those who possess a diversified portfolio of digital assets – a growing segment both in the USA and in Italy. The demand for change also stems from the observation that, to date, a significant portion of personal savings is invested in digital currencies and no longer only in traditional products.

What risks are involved?

Financial operators warn that insolvency risks increasing if the value of cryptocurrencies drops sharply. Instant conversion into euros or dollars is often not guaranteed, and liquidity may be lower than expected. A danger not to be underestimated in the context of a prudent credit policy.

The advantages that attract young people and digital investors

The integration of digital assets into mortgage access criteria would allow many under 35 – traditionally cut off from home credit – not to have to immediately liquidate their crypto portfolio. 

In Italy, according to updated data at the beginning of 2025, those under 40 represent about 30% of new investors in cryptocurrencies, confirming a growing trend in the country.

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Practical scenarios: how cryptocurrencies are used to obtain a mortgage

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In the models currently discussed in the United States, assets in bitcoin, ethereum, and other digital currencies can be presented as collateral on par with bank accounts, deposits, or securities. The key requirement will be the verifiability of the funds and the ability to monitor their value fluctuation throughout the duration of the financing.

Real experiments: Australia and early tests in Europe

1. Australia: An Australian fintech has launched real estate credit products secured by bitcoin, offering loans up to 5 million Australian dollars with quick approval, and testing risk management models based on blockchain data.
2. Europa e USA: Various fintech startups are experimenting with platforms that aggregate digital and traditional assets to offer alternative credit scoring, but these are still pilot projects.

Cryptocurrencies and mortgages: the political issue in the United States and Italy

The institutional debate remains heated. Part of the US Congress is pushing to adopt rigorous evaluation systems, demanding guarantees on financial stability and hypothesizing maximum limits on the share of cryptocurrencies admissible as collateral. In Italy as well, the debate is in its initial phase, with trade associations calling for clear regulations.

In the halls of the Senate and Chamber: the laws under discussion

1. Senato USA: in addition to the “21st Century Mortgage Act,” another project focused on digital guarantees for home lending is under discussion.
2. House of Representatives: the “American Homeowner Crypto Modernization Act” of 2024 proposes to update credit assessment programs to consider digital assets as part of the analysis for mortgage loans.
3. Australia: the recent launch of crypto-backed real estate credit is cited as a model in the Anglo-Saxon debate.

Where is the regulation going? Future trends between Europe and Italy

Compared to the United States, Italian regulation on mortgages and cryptocurrencies is still in its early stages. Italian banks are closely observing international developments, ready to seize the first regulatory signals from Europe. In the coming years, a progressive and gradual recognition of digital assets as part of the overall asset evaluation is expected, but the legislation is still in the definition phase.

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What is needed to see bitcoin mortgages even in Italy?

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It will be crucial to define uniform evaluation standards and risk monitoring systems. A clear regulatory framework – with effective oversight on the real value of digital assets – will be essential for the solutions activated abroad to be adopted by Italian banks and intermediaries.

Loans and mortgages 3.0: real change for the new generations?

The inclusion of cryptocurrencies in home credit processes is among the most discussed financial innovations of 2025 globally. If implemented, it could facilitate access to home ownership, especially among young people and digital investors. However, doubts and controversies related to risks remain to be addressed, but the trend of integrating home credit and digital savings now seems to be underway.