Better vs Newrez
A conforming crypto-backed mortgage against a qualify-with-crypto loan where you keep your coins.
Rates as of July 2026 · Verified weekly · By Borrow on Bitcoin
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The bottom line
Better pairs a conforming first mortgage with a bitcoin-pledged second loan, with crypto held at Coinbase Prime, and structures out Bitcoin-price margin calls. Newrez uses a qualify-with-crypto model where your crypto counts toward qualification but is not pledged, so you keep custody and take no collateral margin-call risk, accepting a valuation haircut instead. Choose Better to use bitcoin as collateral in a conforming loan; choose Newrez if you would rather keep your coins and only use them to qualify.
Conditional guidance, not a recommendation. The right pick depends on your loan size, LTV, state, and what you value most. Rates can change; the table below is the live source.
Better vs Newrez, side by side
 Better |  Newrez | |
|---|---|---|
| Max LTV | 97% | Not published |
| Custody model | Qualified custodian (Coinbase Prime) | Borrower-held |
| Rehypothecation | No | No |
| Maximum loan | $806,500 | No stated maximum |
| Prepayment | Standard conforming prepayment terms | Standard non-QM |
| Operating since | 2016 | 2008 |
| Availability | All 50 states | All 50 states |
Custody and counterparty risk
Better holds collateral via qualified custodian (Coinbase Prime), while Newrez uses borrower-held. Neither rehypothecates collateral.
Track record and availability
Newrez has the longer history, operating since 2008 versus 2016.
Strengths and trade-offs
Better
- First Fannie Mae-conforming crypto mortgage (March 2026)
- No margin calls triggered by Bitcoin price movements
- All 50 states, Better's standard footprint
- 30-year fixed conforming rate
- Coinbase Prime qualified custody
- Full-doc Fannie Mae underwriting required (income, DTI, credit, appraisal)
- Foreign nationals not eligible, Fannie Mae conforming requires US borrower
- ≥250% BTC over-collateralization required for the down payment portion
- Loan capped at conforming limit ($766,550 baseline; higher in high-cost areas)
Newrez
- Top-25 mortgage lender, Newrez is a major established originator
- No collateral pledge required, borrower keeps Bitcoin
- No margin call risk
- Nationwide (all 50 states)
- Standard 30-year fixed and ARMs available
- Borrower funds down payment in USD, Bitcoin holdings only qualify, not fund
- Non-QM rate premium (typically 0.5-1.5% above conventional)
- Crypto must be in US-regulated exchange or approved custodial wallet (not DEX)
- Doesn't help BTC-only borrowers without USD savings for down payment
About each lender
Better
First Fannie Mae-conforming crypto-backed mortgage, launched March 26, 2026 by Better in partnership with Coinbase. Standard Fannie Mae conforming first mortgage + BTC-pledged second loan funds the down payment. All 50 states. No-margin-call structure.
Newrez
First top-25 mortgage lender to formally accept crypto for income/asset qualification (2026). No collateral pledge. No margin call risk. Borrower keeps custody of their Bitcoin. Nationwide footprint.
Frequently asked
Which has lower custody risk, Better or Newrez?
Better uses qualified custodian and Newrez uses borrower-held. Neither rehypothecates pledged collateral.
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borrowonbitcoin.com is a comparison publisher, not a lender or financial advisor. Rate data verified July 5, 2026. How we verify rates · Full disclosures.