Block Earner launches the country's first mortgage loan backed by the first cryptocurrency.
The legal victory opened the way for lending secured by digital assets.
The United States is also discussing the recognition of cryptocurrency for mortgage issuance.
The company Block Earner has launched a mortgage backed by Bitcoin in Australia, offering a new way to access real estate without selling crypto assets. This became possible after a court ruling recognized that the company's crypto loans are not subject to financial regulation.
Previously, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) tried to compel Block Earner to obtain a license. However, the court exempted the product from the financial services law requirements.
In the scheme, borrowers' funds are placed on the Fireblocks platform, and Bitcoin is used as collateral for a loan in fiat currency up to 50% of the property's value. At the same time, the cryptocurrency contribution is supplemented by traditional mortgage.
The new product offers an alternative approach to underwriting, the company noted. Creditworthiness is assessed not only based on income and savings but also on a portfolio of digital assets.
Experts note that the U.S. is also moving in this direction. In June 2025, representatives of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) proposed to financial institutions Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider digital assets on regulated exchanges when assessing risks.
Additionally, a bill is being discussed in the U.S. House of Representatives that allows the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in a borrower's financial profile.
Both countries are facing a housing crisis. In Australia, property prices exceed incomes by almost 10 times, and in Sydney, by 14 times. In the U.S., the median home price reached $420,000, and homelessness has risen to a record level since 2007. Against this backdrop, the value of real estate in Bitcoin has actually decreased, as the cryptocurrency has appreciated by almost 84% over the year.
