RateFi Allows Crypto Holders to Use Digital Assets for Mortgage Approval

New mortgage product from Chicago-based lender Rate aims to bridge gap between crypto and traditional home financing.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Rate, a Chicago-based mortgage lender, has launched RateFi, a new program that allows qualified borrowers to use their verified cryptocurrency holdings to qualify for home loans without requiring the liquidation of those digital assets. RateFi represents an effort to address the growing market of crypto investors who were previously excluded from conventional mortgage options due to the treatment of crypto as "invisible" assets.

Why it matters

The launch of RateFi comes as cryptocurrency adoption continues to grow, with an estimated 10% of Americans currently holding digital assets. Historically, mortgage lenders have required borrowers to liquidate crypto holdings to demonstrate financial stability, a process that can trigger capital gains taxes and diminish the investor's position in the market. RateFi aims to change this by allowing qualified borrowers to leverage their crypto holdings for qualification purposes without selling them.

The details

RateFi accepts select, widely recognized cryptocurrencies and USD-backed stablecoins held in approved custodial wallets. Assets held in non-custodial wallets and decentralized exchanges are not currently permitted. Valuation adjustments will be applied to cryptocurrency holdings, reflecting the inherent market fluctuations of these assets. The product is designed to operate within existing mortgage frameworks and represents the first phase of Rate's broader digital asset lending strategy.

  • RateFi was launched on Monday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Rate

A Chicago-based mortgage lender that has launched the RateFi program.

Kate Amor

The executive vice president and head of enterprise products at Rate.

Victor Ciardelli

A leader in fintech and mortgage innovation who spearheaded the introduction of RateFi nationwide.

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What they’re saying

“Digital assets are real assets, yet mortgage lending has treated them as invisible. 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.”

— Kate Amor, Executive Vice President and Head of Enterprise Products at Rate (archyde.com)

What’s next

Rate plans to expand its digital asset lending offerings over time, adapting to the evolving landscape of digital finance. RateFi is fully integrated into Rate's digital mortgage platform.

The takeaway

RateFi represents a significant step in bridging the gap between the growing cryptocurrency market and traditional home financing. By allowing qualified borrowers to leverage their crypto holdings for mortgage approval without liquidating their assets, RateFi has the potential to expand access to homeownership for a new generation of digital asset investors.