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DeFi (decentralized finance) offers an innovative alternative to the traditional mortgage system, challenging long-standing yet largely inefficient lending processes in developing countries.

It could be revolutionary in emerging economies with limited access to stable long-term financing. Could fixed-rate lending protocols empower people to take control of their finances?

The lending dilemma in developing countries

Worldwide, major markets move in sync. When interest rates spike in one market, the whole world feels the ripple effect, even among markets of dramatically different sizes.

Every move the United States makes compounds the issue due to the dominance of the US Dollar and the influence of the US Treasury Market, which is the benchmark for global interest rates.

The effect goes both ways. Low and lower-middle-income countries are home to approximately four billion people, so their economic malaise – a state of economic stagnation or downturn characterized by persistent inflation or lackluster growth – will inevitably spill over.

Their economic development is already below average relative to other nations, heightening tensions.

Major lenders are often reluctant to service people living in developing countries because of high perceived risk.

These locations are susceptible to economic instability, which impacts long-term mortgage financing and increases loan defaults.

The lack of a stable local currency, standardized underwriting practice or credit bureaus complicates the conventional approach.

Emerging economies are in a transitional phase of economic development. Relatively high economic growth leads them toward becoming developed nations.

Even under these circumstances, mortgage lending remains poorly understood and inaccessible. DeFi poses a solution – fixed-rate lending protocols.

How DeFi fixes fixed-rate mortgages

Risk-averse centralized institutions with rigid standards dominate traditional lending systems, leaving people in developing countries without access to the funds to purchase a home.

Historically, they have been the only option, even though their processes tend to be outdated, inefficient and exclusionary.

DeFi can potentially democratize homeownership and stimulate the economy by providing an alternative financing solution less susceptible to local market volatility, supporting developing nations and their inhabitants.

Blockchain technology simplifies, secures and streamlines financial transactions, benefiting underbanked and unbanked individuals.

Research shows it directly correlates to improved economic empowerment, financial inclusion, user satisfaction and trust in financial institutions because it enables better access to financial services.

DeFi protocols leverage blockchain technology

Conventional mortgage document verification requires time-consuming cross-validation. The title management process is similarly inefficient and prone to human error and fraud.

Since property transactions and loan servicing involve multiple parties and extensive paperwork, borrowers are often confused about their loan term, interest rate or outstanding balance.

If the lender’s practice is not streamlined, going through conventional channels can take days or weeks.

The time-consuming mortgage underwriting process can take weeks, depending on how busy the lender is and whether the underwriter needs more information.

In comparison, it takes mere minutes to secure a DeFi loan.

DeFi protocols leverage blockchain technology for transparent, accessible and affordable fixed-rate loans, bypassing the inefficiencies and high costs associated with conventional banking.

They store all relevant property, payment and personal details in a tamper-resistant ledger to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Smart contracts facilitate and automate mortgage contracts.

This technology improves verification speed, reduces disputes and eliminates redundancies, enabling institutions to quickly verify documents and offer mortgages.

The process is more transparent, enhancing trust among those in developing nations.

The benefits of DeFi fixed-rate lending protocols

DeFi enables new forms of home ownership and property investment, which are ideal for those in emerging economies.

In peer-to-peer lending, for instance, they could earn a 15% annual percentage yield by lending stablecoins through crypto savings accounts or liquidity pools.

They could use smart contracts to enforce the payback period, reducing counterparty risk.

Asset tokenization enables fractional ownership of loan portfolios, allowing investors to own portions of real estate instead of purchasing it in full.

Communities can collect their funds in liquidity pools to help individuals take out mortgages they wouldn’t have been able to get alone.

Blockchain technology streamlines and lowers the cost of the mortgage process by making most intermediaries redundant.

Traditionally, lenders charge for originating the loan and may also require recipients to pay third-party closing costs for services like appraisals and title insurance.

DeFi has low overhead expenses, making the process more cost-effective.

The future of fixed-rate DeFi lending

Since the blockchain provides an immutable digital ledger, it provides a secure, transparent platform for lenders, borrowers and intermediaries.

Leveraging this technology for fixed-rate lending protocols helps reduce confusion and improve reliability, even in uncertain market conditions.

It could challenge the traditional mortgage process, reshaping the financial future.

Devin Partida is the editor-in-chief of ReHack and is especially interested in writing about fintech. Devin’s work has been featured on Entrepreneur, Forbes and Nasdaq.

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Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

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Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has…

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Last updated: 

July 28, 2025

A group of Senate Democrats is demanding answers from the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) over a controversial move to consider crypto assets in mortgage assessments.

In a letter sent Friday, five senators led by Jeff Merkley raised concerns about FHFA Director William Pulte’s recent directive instructing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore how crypto holdings could factor into mortgage risk evaluations without being converted into US dollars.

The letter, co-signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, Mazie Hirono, and Bernie Sanders, calls for a detailed explanation by August 7.

“We urge you to fully assess the potential risks and benefits of your order and its implications for the U.S. housing market and financial system,” the senators wrote.

FHFA Rules Require Crypto to Be Converted Before Mortgage Use

The FHFA has overseen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since the 2008 financial crisis, when both institutions were placed under federal conservatorship.

Under current policy, crypto holdings must be liquidated into fiat before being considered in mortgage applications.

Pulte’s order, however, signals a possible shift. The senators say such a move “could introduce unnecessary risks to consumers and pose serious safety and soundness concerns for the U.S. housing and financial markets.”

They also warned that crypto’s volatility and history of liquidity issues could jeopardize borrowers’ ability to repay loans.

“Borrowers may not be able to exit a crypto position and convert to cash at a price that would allow them to buffer against risk of mortgage default,” they wrote.

Beyond market risk, the senators cited concerns over scams, cyberattacks, and theft, which they say leave homeowners “vulnerable to losing their crypto assets with little hope of recovery.”

The letter also raised potential ethical concerns. “We are concerned about how the FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac will prevent conflicts of interest,” the lawmakers stated, pointing to former President Donald Trump and his family’s involvement in multiple crypto ventures.

The Trumps reportedly have connections to trading platforms, stablecoins, mining businesses, memecoins, and NFTs.

The senators also took direct aim at Pulte, alleging a potential conflict due to his wife’s crypto holdings, which financial disclosures indicate could be worth up to $2 million.

They argue that Pulte’s dual role as FHFA Director and board chair of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is problematic. “You have stacked those boards with industry allies,” the letter said.

Senators Slam FHFA for Lack of Clarity on Crypto Mortgage Order

The lawmakers criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the order, stating it “includes no information on how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would develop a proposal” or how the FHFA would assess risks or collect feedback.

They referenced the 2023 banking crisis, where crypto exposure contributed to the collapse of three banks, as a cautionary tale.

They also noted that in 2021, Fannie Mae concluded that crypto use for deposits, payments, or collateral was the “least appealing application” of blockchain.

The senators asked Pulte to provide internal communications related to the order, details on the approval process, and information on how he plans to address potential conflicts of interest.

Bitcoin climbed above $107K as traders react to the fact that the Israel-Iran ceasefire is actually holding for now.

Oil prices have dropped back to pre-conflict levels, and that’s giving investors a reason to feel optimistic again.

But don’t get too comfortable – there’s always something to worry about. And the focus is now on NATO vs. Russia.

According to QCP Group, European defense officials are warning that a war could break out in the next five years.

• Russia’s been producing more weapons than it needs for the war in Ukraine, upgrading its nuclear facilities in Kaliningrad, and setting up more military bases near European borders;

• In response, NATO countries agreed to increase defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP by 2035.

QCP says stuff like this is changing how investors think about risk, because what used to be seen as a worst-case scenario is now just part of the normal.

And for that, it’s getting harder for markets to figure out what anything is really worth.

So, the big picture is a mess. However, the short term… nah, it’s also messy.

CryptoQuant contributor Amr Taha pointed out this:

1/ Binance Open Interest (OI) has increased

Binance’s OI jumped above 6%. The last two times this happened (on May 26 and June 10), Bitcoin either dipped or started going sideways afterward.

That’s because rising OI means more money’s getting pumped into futures, mostly by traders using leverage = usually a sign of growing excitement or speculation.

And when things get more speculative, the market becomes more fragile. Leveraged traders don’t have much room for error, so even a small price drop can spook them into closing positions, which adds extra selling pressure.

2/ Long-term holders are slowing down

A stat that shows what long-term holders are up to – the LTH Net Position Realized Cap – dropped from over $57B to just $3.5B.

This means they’re not accumulating like before, and some might be taking profits after the recent price rally.

And since these are usually the chill and strategic people, seeing them cool off is something worth noting.

So, where does that leave us?

There’s no clear sign that Bitcoin’s about to crash. Don’t worry.

But a dip or some sideways movement wouldn’t be surprising.

Analyst IT Tech suggests watching these price levels:

$108.25K → a break above it could trigger a squeeze toward $109.5K+;

$106.4K → a drop below it could be followed by a local pullback.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to recognize cryptocurrency as an asset in their assessments of single-family mortgage loan risks. 

This directive, issued by FHFA Director William J. Pulte, marks a pivotal moment in the integration of digital assets within the traditional finance framework, particularly in the realm of home lending.

Crypto As Asset For Home Loans

According to CNBC, the order mandates that both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac create proposals that allow borrowers to use digital assets without needing to convert them into US dollars before closing a loan. 

Pulte emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s vision of positioning the United States as a global leader in cryptocurrency.

Historically, cryptocurrency has been largely excluded from mortgage underwriting due to concerns over its volatility, regulatory ambiguities, and the challenges associated with verifying asset reserves. 

However, this new directive signals a shift in perspective, recognizing the increasing acceptance of crypto within institutional finance and federal policy.

A ‘Monumental Shift’

The FHFA’s order acknowledges cryptocurrency as an emerging asset class that could provide opportunities for wealth building outside of conventional stock and bond markets.

Yet, the directive specifies that only digital assets stored on US-regulated, centralized exchanges (CEX) will be considered, ensuring that these assets can be clearly evidenced. 

Additionally, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are required to implement measures to account for the “inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies,” ensuring that these assets do not jeopardize their underwriting standards.

Both enterprises will need to submit their proposals for assessment to their respective boards of directors and subsequently to the FHFA for final approval. 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were placed under government control in September 2008 as government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), play a crucial role in the US housing market, holding over $7 trillion in housing loans.

Market expert Echo X weighed in on this development in a recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the decision to allow digital assets as reserves represents a monumental shift. 

The expert noted that this change will enable borrowers to use their crypto holdings as part of their home loan qualifications, eliminating previous barriers that required users to liquidate their assets to qualify for loans. 

According to Echo X, this move opens the floodgates for genuine adoption of cryptocurrency within the housing market, signaling the dawn of a tokenized real estate market supported by the US mortgage system.

This decision caused an uptick in prices across the broader digital asset ecosystem, with Bitcoin (BTC) surging 1.5% toward $107,000 in the 24-hour chart. Consequently, the total crypto market cap also surged to $3.27 trillion.

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Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

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Julia Smith

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Julia Smith

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Julia is an experienced editor with a passion for covering a wide variety of beats. She loves all things politics and regularly covers regulatory updates on emerging technology here for Crypto News.

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Last updated: 

June 25, 2025

U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider ways cryptocurrencies may be used in mortgage risk assessments, a Wednesday order from the FHFA reveals.

FHFA To Consider Crypto As Mortgage Asset, Bill Pulte Says

According to a June 25 X post from Pulte, the two government-sponsored enterprises will prepare a proposal considering “cryptocurrency as an asset for reserves in their respective single-family mortgage loan risk assessments” without first being converted to U.S. dollars.

However, only cryptocurrencies stored on a U.S.-regulated centralized exchange would be considered by the government agency.

“After significant studying, and in keeping with President Trump’s vision to make the United States the crypto capital of the world, today I ordered the Great Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare their businesses to count cryptocurrency as an asset for a mortgage,” Pulte said.

“Today is a historic day in the cryptocurrency industry and the mortgage industry, whereby Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now positioned to involve Cryptocurrencies in Mortgages,” he added. “Thank you President Trump for making the USA the crypto capital of the world!”

Crypto Advocates Celebrate Mainstream Adoption Win

Following the news, several key players across the digital asset industry celebrated the FHFA’s latest move.

Strategy founder Michael Saylor took to social media to praise Pulte’s decision, calling it a “defining moment for institutional BTC adoption and collateral recognition.”

“A truly historic day,” Saylor said. “The U.S. mortgage industry leads—and the global banking system will follow.”

Blockchain real estate company Propy also hailed the FHFA’s crypto consideration, labeling it a “huge step forward for crypto adoption in real estate.”

“Regulators are moving,” a Wednesday afternoon X post from Propy’s official account reads. “Markets are watching.”

With over 55 million Americans owning digital assets, it may only be a matter of time before crypto begins to play a mainstream role in unlocking access to homeownership.