Invest ideasNews
26 Mar 2026, 12:23
MARA Holdings higher by 10% after selling $1.1 billion in bitcoin to fund debt buyback
The strategic move cuts debt, reduces dilution risk, and strengthens the balance sheet for expansion into AI and energy infrastructure, said the company.
26 Mar 2026, 12:20
Fannie Mae Shockwave: Crypto-Backed Mortgages Coming to the US
One of the leading mortgage-finance companies in the United States will soon begin accepting mortgages backed by cryptocurrencies. This is unprecedented and a first for the industry, marking yet another step toward mainstream financial transactions. According to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal, the mortgage company Better Home & Finance, as well as the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange, Coinbase, will announce a new mortgage product that would allow home buyers to pledge their crypto holdings when getting a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae. At the time of this writing, it is not clear exactly which cryptocurrencies will be eligible for these products, nor how the collateral itself will be valued. That said, the news marks a fundamental shift in how crypto is perceived in the country, potentially unlocking hundreds of billions in liquidity, as users will no longer need to sell their digital assets to finance a home. The post Fannie Mae Shockwave: Crypto-Backed Mortgages Coming to the US appeared first on CryptoPotato .
26 Mar 2026, 12:20
Crypto-Backed Mortgages: Fannie Mae’s Revolutionary Plan to Transform U.S. Home Lending
BitcoinWorld Crypto-Backed Mortgages: Fannie Mae’s Revolutionary Plan to Transform U.S. Home Lending In a landmark move for American housing finance, Fannie Mae plans to allow crypto-backed mortgages, potentially reshaping how millions access home loans. The government-sponsored enterprise (GSE), a cornerstone of the U.S. mortgage market, intends to accept cryptocurrency as collateral for residential mortgages, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. This initiative marks the first formal introduction of crypto-collateralized mortgages at a federal level in the United States, signaling a profound integration of digital assets into mainstream financial systems. The development, emerging from Washington D.C. in early 2025, follows years of regulatory evolution and market demand for digital asset utility. Understanding Fannie Mae’s Crypto-Backed Mortgage Plan Fannie Mae’s proposal represents a strategic pivot toward modernizing collateral acceptance. Traditionally, the agency and its counterpart Freddie Mac guarantee mortgages backed by physical assets or conventional income. However, this new framework would permit lenders to originate loans where a borrower’s cryptocurrency holdings serve as the primary collateral. Consequently, this could unlock homeownership for individuals with significant digital wealth but non-traditional income profiles. The plan reportedly involves developing rigorous risk-assessment models to manage cryptocurrency’s notorious volatility. Furthermore, Fannie Mae will likely establish specific custody and valuation protocols with approved digital asset custodians. This initiative directly responds to growing investor and consumer interest. Over 20% of American adults now report owning some form of cryptocurrency, according to recent Federal Reserve data. Many of these individuals are millennials and Gen Z, key demographics entering the housing market. Their wealth, however, is often held in digital rather than traditional forms. Therefore, Fannie Mae’s move could address a significant market gap. The agency’s involvement provides a crucial layer of trust and standardization, potentially encouraging widespread lender adoption. Importantly, the plan does not mean Fannie Mae will directly hold cryptocurrencies; instead, it will guarantee mortgages where lenders accept digital assets as pledged collateral under strict guidelines. The Regulatory Landscape and Precedents Fannie Mae’s exploration occurs within a rapidly clarifying U.S. regulatory environment. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have recently established clearer digital asset frameworks. Simultaneously, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has issued guidance allowing national banks to provide cryptocurrency custody services. These developments create a more stable foundation for such a financial product. Notably, several private lenders and fintech companies have already piloted similar programs on a smaller scale. For instance, companies like Milo and Ledn have offered bitcoin-backed mortgages, but without the backing of a federal agency. The table below contrasts traditional mortgage collateral with the proposed crypto-backed structure: Collateral Type Traditional Mortgage Proposed Crypto-Backed Mortgage Primary Backing Property itself + Borrower Income Pledged Cryptocurrency Holdings Valuation Method Appraisal + Credit History Real-time Market Pricing + Custody Proof Liquidity Risk Low (Property Market) High (Digital Asset Volatility) GSE Role Guarantee Standardized Loans Guarantee Loans with New Collateral Rules These pilots provided valuable data but lacked the systemic scale and standardization a Fannie Mae program would bring. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae, has been monitoring these experiments. Their eventual approval would be necessary for any full-scale rollout. This regulatory journey highlights the careful, evidence-based approach being taken. The move aligns with broader federal initiatives to foster responsible financial innovation while maintaining consumer protection. Expert Analysis on Risk and Market Impact Financial analysts and housing experts point to both significant opportunities and formidable challenges. Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a housing policy fellow at the Brookings Institution, notes the potential for expanded credit access. “This could democratize homeownership for a new class of asset-rich, cash-flow-unconventional earners,” she stated in a recent interview. However, she immediately cautions about volatility management. “The core challenge is designing a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and margin call system that protects both the borrower and the taxpayer-backed system from a crypto market crash.” Risk mitigation will likely involve several key mechanisms: Conservative LTV Ratios: Initial loans may only allow borrowing 50% or less of the crypto collateral’s value, creating a large buffer. Automatic Rebalancing: Smart contracts or custodial agreements could automatically liquidate a portion of the collateral if its value drops below a certain threshold. Asset Restrictions: The program may initially accept only the largest, most liquid cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, excluding smaller, more volatile altcoins. Insurance Products: The development of new insurance products to hedge against digital asset volatility could become a supporting industry. From a market perspective, the impact could be substantial. Introducing a government-backed buyer for these mortgages would create liquidity, encouraging more lenders to enter the space. This could, in turn, increase competition and improve terms for borrowers. Moreover, it sends a powerful signal of legitimacy to the entire digital asset ecosystem. Conversely, critics warn of integrating a highly speculative asset class into the heart of the housing market, which is still recovering from the 2008 crisis. They argue that while technology has changed, the fundamental risks of leveraging volatile assets remain. Technical Implementation and Custody Solutions The operational success of crypto-backed mortgages hinges on secure, reliable custody. Fannie Mae will not custody digital assets directly. Instead, it will rely on a network of approved, regulated custodians—likely banks or trust companies with specific charters for digital assets. These entities will hold the private keys to the borrower’s pledged cryptocurrency in secure, often offline “cold” storage. The custody agreement will grant the lender a security interest, similar to a lien on a traditional asset. Valuation will occur in real-time or at frequent intervals using feeds from major, regulated exchanges. This infrastructure is now more feasible due to advancements in institutional-grade custody solutions over the past five years. Blockchain technology itself may play an administrative role. Some prototypes use so-called “tokenized” mortgages, where the loan agreement and collateral status are recorded on a blockchain for transparency and automation. For example, a smart contract could automatically execute a margin call if the collateral value dips, notifying both borrower and lender instantly. This reduces administrative delay and potential dispute. However, Fannie Mae’s initial rollout will probably use more traditional legal frameworks with digital asset layers, prioritizing regulatory compliance over technological novelty. The focus will be on creating a system that is first and foremost safe, sound, and compliant with existing banking and securities laws. Historical Context and Future Trajectory Fannie Mae’s history is one of adapting to the American housing market’s needs. Created in 1938 during the New Deal, its mission is to provide liquidity, stability, and affordability. It has historically embraced innovations like the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and automated underwriting systems. Accepting new forms of collateral is a logical, if bold, next step in that evolution. This move reflects a recognition that the nature of wealth and creditworthiness is changing in the digital age. It follows other GSE experiments with alternative credit data, such as considering rental payment history. The timeline for implementation remains uncertain. Industry observers anticipate a multi-phase process: Pilot Program (2025-2026): A limited-scale pilot with select, approved lenders and strict caps on total loan volume. Evaluation and Rulemaking (2026-2027): FHFA and other regulators would analyze pilot data and formalize rules. Broader Rollout (2027+): A gradual, controlled expansion to more lenders and potentially a wider range of approved digital assets. This cautious approach aims to balance innovation with systemic safety. Success could pave the way for other asset-backed lending products using tokenized real estate, equities, or commodities. Ultimately, it represents a test case for the integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) principles into the world’s largest regulated financial markets. Conclusion Fannie Mae’s plan to allow crypto-backed mortgages is a watershed moment for both the housing and digital asset industries. It signifies a maturation of cryptocurrency from a speculative investment into an accepted form of collateral within a federally backed system. This development promises to enhance credit access for a new generation of homeowners while introducing novel risk management challenges. The program’s success will depend on robust custody solutions, conservative loan structuring, and continuous regulatory oversight. As the pilot phase approaches, all stakeholders—from borrowers and lenders to regulators and taxpayers—will watch closely. This initiative could fundamentally reshape the landscape of U.S. home lending, making the dream of homeownership accessible to those whose wealth lives on the blockchain. FAQs Q1: What exactly does “crypto-backed mortgage” mean? A crypto-backed mortgage is a home loan where the borrower pledges their cryptocurrency holdings as collateral for the loan, instead of relying solely on traditional income verification or using the purchased property as the only security. Q2: Will Fannie Mae directly hold my Bitcoin or Ethereum? No. Fannie Mae will guarantee the mortgages. The actual digital assets will be held by qualified, regulated third-party custodians (like certain banks or trust companies) that meet strict security and regulatory standards. Q3: What happens if the value of my crypto collateral suddenly drops? The loan agreement will include specific terms, likely involving automatic “margin calls.” If the collateral value falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 150% of the loan value), you may need to pledge more crypto or repay part of the loan to restore the required collateral ratio. Failure to do so could lead to liquidation of some collateral. Q4: Are all cryptocurrencies eligible to be used as collateral? Initially, the program will likely be restricted to the most established and liquid cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). More volatile or less liquid “altcoins” are expected to be excluded, at least in the early phases. Q5: How does this benefit traditional mortgage lenders? It allows lenders to tap into a new customer base—individuals with substantial digital asset wealth. By selling these guaranteed loans to Fannie Mae, lenders can free up capital to originate more loans, while Fannie Mae assumes the credit risk, making the product more attractive for lenders to offer. This post Crypto-Backed Mortgages: Fannie Mae’s Revolutionary Plan to Transform U.S. Home Lending first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
26 Mar 2026, 12:20
Anatoly Yakovenko on Solana's 44% Crypto Transactions Domination: 'Big One'
Solana is dominating the crypto transaction count, triggering conversations about growing use cases.
26 Mar 2026, 12:19
T-REX Network and Zama Launch Institutional-Grade Confidentiality Infrastructure for RWA Tokenization
Paris, France, March 26th, 2026, Chainwire Zama becomes the default confidentiality layer for the T-REX Ledger Privacy, compliance, and interoperability built into public blockchain infrastructure FHE-powered confidential settlement enabling secure institutional adoption at scale T-REX Network , the multi-chain RWA orchestration layer supported by Apex Group , which services $3.5 trillion in assets, has partnered with Zama , the pioneer in Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), to integrate native confidentiality into the T-REX Ledger. This collaboration marks a pivotal move in bringing regulated financial markets onchain by combining Zama’s encryption expertise with the ERC-3643 standard, which currently secures $32 billion in tokenized assets. The initiative is further bolstered by Apex Group’s recent commitment to adopt the T-REX Ledger as its default infrastructure, with a target of $100 billion in tokenized assets by June 2027. The Missing Layer for Institutional Blockchain Adoption Decentralized blockchains are public by design. Every transaction, balance, and position is permanently visible to anyone. For regulated financial markets, this is a fundamental dealbreaker. For years financial institutions responded by building private chains, seeking the control and confidentiality that public infrastructure could not provide. In doing so, they created new silos, sacrificed interoperability, and ultimately captured little of the efficiency that blockchain technology promised. Institutions cannot risk exposing sensitive investor data, portfolio positions, and trading strategies on a public ledger. Yet without access to the public blockchain infrastructure, the efficiency and interoperability promised for tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) remains out of reach. Now with confidentiality and control directly at the token level, they can finally use interoperable public ledgers without sacrificing compliance and security. A crucial step for these institutions to scale RWAs. Confidentiality, Compliance and Interoperability, Built Into the Same Infrastructure The T-REX Ledger is a neutral Layer 2 blockchain for compliant and interoperable digital securities, serving as the single source of truth across a multi-chain environment. Built to serve tokens issued on the ERC-3643 standard, it unifies identity and compliance into a single interoperable infrastructure designed to connect with major public blockchains. Through this partnership, Zama will provide the native confidentiality layer for the T-REX Ledger using FHE, a cryptographic solution that allows smart contracts to compute without ever needing to decrypt the data. This enables financial institutions to issue, manage, and trade digital assets on the upcoming T-REX public blockchains while keeping sensitive data confidential, with the same discretion expected from traditional financial systems. The collaboration, born within a working group of the ERC3643 association, addresses one of the most significant barriers to institutional blockchain adoption: enabling the efficiency of public infrastructure while preserving the confidentiality required by regulated financial markets. Integrating Zama’s FHE protocol into the T-REX Ledger, results in a scalable, compliant, and privacy-preserving foundation for institutional finance to operate onchain. Building the Standard for Confidential Onchain Finance “The T-REX Ledger was built to be the trusted multi-chain orchestration layer for institutional RWAs, but trust also means privacy,” said Joachim Lebrun, Co-Founder of T-REX Network and Lead Author of the ERC-3643 standard . “Integrating Zama’s FHE Protocol directly into the T-REX Ledger means institutions can finally operate fully onchain without exposing their confidential data to the world. That is the missing piece for unlocking real institutional scale.” “Our goal is to make Zama the confidentiality layer for public blockchains, enabling institutions and investors to operate onchain with the same level of privacy they expect offchain,” said Dr. Rand Hindi, Co-Founder and CEO of Zama . “This collaboration with T-REX Network demonstrates that confidentiality is not an optional feature for institutional blockchain adoption — it is foundational infrastructure. Together, we are enabling digital asset markets to scale securely, efficiently, and with trust.” Institutional Confidentiality as Shared Infrastructure By embedding FHE confidentiality layer directly into the T-REX Ledger, T-REX Network and Zama are establishing privacy as a core infrastructure for institutional tokenization, rather than a standalone feature. This shared foundation enables regulated institutions to participate in public blockchain ecosystems without compromising operational security or market integrity. The partnership represents a key step toward large-scale institutional adoption of tokenized real-world assets, where compliance, interoperability, and confidentiality are built into the infrastructure from the start. About T-REX Network T-REX Network is the largest ecosystem for compliant RWA tokenization built on the ERC-3643 standard, with more than $32 billion in assets tokenized. Born from years of industry collaboration, T-REX exists to solve the core challenge of scaling tokenization across blockchains without breaking compliance. Through T-REX Ledger, a canonical cross-chain compliance reference layer, and the T-REX AppStore, which connects ERC-3643 assets to natively compatible applications, T-REX Network enables regulated assets to move to wherever liquidity exists with speed, trust, and control. Its mission is to turn tokenization from isolated pilots into a connected, compliant open finance system that finally works at global scale. About Zama Zama is a cryptography company building state-of-the-art Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) solutions for blockchain. Its protocol enables confidentiality on public blockchains, allowing digital assets to be issued, managed, and traded privately onchain. Founded by FHE pioneer Dr. Pascal Paillier and entrepreneur Dr. Rand Hindi, Zama brings together one of the world’s largest teams of FHE researchers and engineers and supports a global ecosystem of developers building confidential applications. Contact PR & Communications Director Julia André Zama [email protected]
26 Mar 2026, 12:16
BTC Dips Further as Pentagon Reportedly Prepares Massive ‘Final Blow’ Against Iran
Bitcoin continues with its decline today, dipping to $69,000 minutes ago after reports that the Pentagon has begun developing stronger military operations for a “final blow” against Iran. According to a report from Axios and cited by The Kobeissi Letter, the US wants to include ground forces and a “massive bombing attack.” The four-stage plan begins with invading or blockading Kharg Island, which is the cornerstone of Iran’s oil export. Although it’s a relatively small island, the offshore terminal handles up to 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. The second part would focus on invading Larak, an island strategically located close to the Strait of Hormuz, which allows Iran to solidify its control of the region. Next, the US would want to seize control of Abu Musa and two smaller islands, which “lie near the western entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and are controlled by Iran but also claimed by the UAE.” The final step would block or seize ships exporting Iranian oil on the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, these steps could create “more leverage” for Trump during the reported negotiations going on now. The most recent Trump statements on the negotiations matter came out less than an hour ago, and the POTUS urged Iran’s officials to “get serious soon, before it is too late.” Additionally, he noted that Iranian negotiators are “very different and strange,” but asserted that they are “begging” the US to make a deal. Bitcoin’s price has fallen by $3,000 in a day after it was rejected at $72,000 yesterday. The highly volatile situation in the Middle East continues to impact the ever-volatile crypto industry. Although BTC is actually up since the war started, it has historically reacted better when peace talks are in focus, not new attacks. BTCUSD March 26. Source: TradingView The post BTC Dips Further as Pentagon Reportedly Prepares Massive ‘Final Blow’ Against Iran appeared first on CryptoPotato .
