Chicago, IL – February 24, 2026 – Rate, a national mortgage lender, today launched RateFi, a fresh mortgage product designed to allow borrowers to qualify for home loans using their verified cryptocurrency holdings without needing to liquidate those assets. The move represents a significant step toward integrating digital assets into mainstream financial products, potentially opening homeownership to a wider range of buyers.
The new program addresses a growing need for financial products that recognize the increasing prevalence of cryptocurrency investments. More than 10 percent of Americans currently hold digital assets, often in substantial portfolios, according to Rate. Traditionally, those seeking mortgages have been forced to sell their cryptocurrency holdings to demonstrate sufficient funds for down payments or to meet income qualification requirements, potentially incurring tax consequences and diminishing their long-term investment strategy. RateFi aims to eliminate that friction.
Bridging the Gap Between Crypto and Homeownership
RateFi enables qualified borrowers to use verified cryptocurrency as part of their income and asset qualification, a feature not widely available in the current mortgage market. While funds used for down payments and closing costs still require conversion to U.S. Currency, the ability to qualify based on non-liquidated crypto holdings marks a departure from conventional lending practices. The program is built within Rate’s existing digital mortgage platform, ensuring a streamlined application process, according to the company.
“Digital assets are real assets, yet mortgage lending has treated them as invisible,” said Kate Amor, EVP, Head of Enterprise Products at Rate, in a press release. “RateFi changes that. We built this product to apply common-sense underwriting to a modern financial reality, allowing qualified borrowers to use their crypto without selling it, without gimmicks, and without stepping outside established lending standards.”
Industry First, Built for Scale
Rate positions RateFi as one of the earliest institutional-grade mortgage programs offered by an independent mortgage bank. The company emphasizes the program’s scalability, operating within existing non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) structures and adhering to standard anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) verification processes. This approach aims to ensure both compliance and accessibility for borrowers with non-traditional financial profiles, including those who are self-employed or have significant digital asset holdings. National Mortgage News reported on the launch earlier today.
Shant Banosian, President of Rate, highlighted the operational efficiency of the program. “Crypto lending gets a lot of headlines,” Banosian said, “But this business is about closing loans consistently, compliantly, and at scale. RateFi runs within our existing platform, providing the underwriting, pricing, and operational support our loan officers rely on every day.”
Meeting Borrower Demand
Rate’s internal research indicates that digital asset holders aren’t primarily seeking speculative lending options. Instead, they are looking for ways to leverage their existing wealth responsibly, avoiding unnecessary liquidation and tax implications. The company believes RateFi caters to this demand by incorporating verified cryptocurrency holdings into the loan qualification process.
“Digital assets represent real wealth,” Banosian added. “RateFi expands who our loan officers can help and strengthens our ability to serve today’s borrower, without adding friction to the process.”
Expanding Digital Asset Lending
Amor emphasized that RateFi is the first phase of a broader digital asset lending strategy. “As the definition of wealth evolves, lending needs to evolve with it,” she stated. “RateFi expands access responsibly to meet crypto-wealthy borrowers where they are today, while still maintaining the same disciplined credit standards that define our Rate portfolio product suite.”
Rate, headquartered in Chicago, has over 850 branches across the United States and Washington, D.C. The company has been recognized for its innovation and customer service, earning accolades from publications like Fortune, Forbes, and NerdWallet. More information about RateFi is available on the company’s website.
The launch of RateFi positions Rate at the forefront of mortgage innovation as digital assets gain wider acceptance in the financial mainstream. The company anticipates the program will attract both cryptocurrency investors looking to diversify into real estate and loan officers seeking to offer differentiated solutions to their clients.
Rate plans to continue expanding its digital asset lending capabilities in the coming months. The company will be monitoring market trends and borrower feedback to refine its offerings and ensure they meet the evolving needs of the digital asset community.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about a new financial product and should not be considered financial advice. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment or lending decisions.
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