Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, has stated that the new U.S. mortgage rules—directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings like Bitcoin as part of mortgage loan risk assessments—could “significantly” boost the crypto sector. Wood argues that this policy shift would legitimize digital assets within traditional finance, allowing crypto holders to use their assets to qualify for home loans without converting them to cash. She believes this will bolster both the crypto and housing markets, increasing accessibility and efficiency for borrowers and potentially attracting a broader range of investors and homebuyers.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has instructed the mortgage giants to prepare frameworks for including crypto assets (held on U.S.-regulated exchanges) in reserve calculations for single-family mortgages. This move aligns with former President Donald Trump’s ambition to make the U.S. a global leader in crypto adoption. By treating crypto as a legitimate reserve asset, the policy could modernize mortgage lending and further integrate digital assets into the mainstream financial system.
Wood and other analysts note that while the long-term implications are still unfolding, the rule could provide a substantial boost to the legitimacy and adoption of cryptocurrencies in the U.S. economy.
