The government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will soon begin counting cryptocurrencies as assets in their risk assessments for single-family home loans, marking a significant step toward the mainstream acceptance of digital assets under US President Donald Trump’s administration.
The directive was issued Wednesday by William J. Pulte, the current director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which regulates both GSEs.
The FHFA has overseen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since 2008, when both institutions were placed under government conservatorship in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
Pulte said the decision to include cryptocurrencies as part of the mortgage risk assessment came “after significant studying” and aligns with President Trump’s goal to make the United States the global crypto capital.
The decision means cryptocurrencies will be considered a reserve asset for loan borrowers without having to convert those assets into US dollars, as was previously the case.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have played a critical role in the US housing market since the subprime mortgage crisis, providing liquidity and stability by purchasing mortgages from lenders, which enables lenders to issue more loans.
Related: US home mortgage regulator considers Bitcoin amid housing crisis
This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.
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