Bitcoin currently trades sideways around the US$64,000 level as global risk appetite wanes significantly. Market participants closely monitor the escalating possibility of a full-scale war between the United States and Iran. According to CoinMarketCap data this morning, the price per bitcoin stood at US$64,682. This represents a slight decline of 0.15 per cent from 24 hours earlier. In contrast, Ethereum, the leading alternative virtual asset, demonstrated relative resilience, rising 0.5 per cent from the previous day to US$1,870. This divergence highlights the complex dynamics at play within the broader digital asset ecosystem during periods of heightened geopolitical tension and market uncertainty.
Middle East geopolitical risks actively stoke inflation across global markets. This persistent inflationary pressure directly limits the potential for near-term central bank interest rate cuts. Consequently, this restrictive monetary reality caps the immediate upside potential for Bitcoin and other risk assets. We observe this macroeconomic correlation clearly in international oil markets. As of 6 p.m. Eastern time, September Brent crude rose 3.12 per cent from the previous session to US$90.85 a barrel. This marked the first time since the 11th of last month that Brent crude topped US$90. Simultaneously, West Texas Intermediate crude on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose 3.1 per cent to US$85.05 a barrel.
Traditional financial markets and cryptocurrency markets consistently move in tandem during periods of systemic stress. The current hesitation in Bitcoin price action reflects a broader market reassessment of risk. Investors actively price in the reality that persistent inflation will keep monetary policy restrictive. This environment demands a sophisticated understanding of how digital assets function. They are no longer mere speculative instruments but are becoming integral components of a modernising and increasingly decentralised financial architecture. Market participants now recognise that digital scarcity and decentralised consensus provide a unique hedge against fiat currency debasement.
Despite these immediate macroeconomic headwinds, a structural shift is underway in how traditional finance views digital wealth. The American Homeowner Crypto Modernization Act represents a critical step toward bridging the gap between decentralised finance and mainstream credit access. Representative Nancy Mace introduced this legislation to mandate that federal housing agencies update their underwriting rules. Agencies including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency must treat verified digital assets alongside traditional savings, stocks, and bonds.
This legislative proposal focuses strictly on asset recognition rather than enabling mortgage payments in cryptocurrency. Borrowers could count their crypto holdings as part of their total asset base. The compliance requirements are stringent and deliberate. Applicants must provide concrete proof of ownership, detailed transaction records, and official exchange documentation. A simple wallet screenshot will not suffice for federal underwriting standards. This rigorous documentation standard aims to satisfy regulatory concerns while validating the financial standing of applicants whose wealth concentrates heavily in digital assets rather than traditional banking accounts.
We must remain realistic about the legislative timeline and the inherent hurdles ahead. The bill currently sits at the committee stage in the House of Representatives. The House Clerk formally referred the measure to both the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. It still needs to clear these committees, pass the full House, navigate the Senate, and secure a presidential signature. Timelines remain inherently uncertain. Debates surrounding consumer protection and financial stability guarantee that housing-related crypto legislation will face intense scrutiny and likely amendments before any final legislative vote.
If this bill eventually becomes law, the practical impact on borrowers will prove highly significant. Individuals with substantial crypto portfolios will find it much easier to meet asset and reserve requirements for home loans. This is particularly true if regulatory agencies allow stablecoins to function similarly to cash equivalents in standard underwriting models. Such a progressive change would democratise access to homeownership for a demographic that has historically faced severe friction when trying to leverage digital wealth for traditional financial goals like buying a home. This shift empowers a new generation of wealth builders who prioritise self-custody and decentralised finance over legacy banking institutions.
Lenders and regulators will inevitably implement strict guardrails to manage this new asset class. They must actively manage volatility, concentration risk, and potential fraud within mortgage portfolios. We can expect financial institutions to apply conservative haircuts to the assessed value of non-stablecoin holdings. Stricter documentation protocols will become the absolute norm for these applicants. These risk controls are necessary to protect both the borrower and the lending institution. They also reflect a maturing regulatory approach that acknowledges the validity of crypto assets while mitigating their inherent market fluctuations.
This legislative movement aligns perfectly with a broader vision for the future of global financial infrastructure. As I explore in my ongoing research regarding the convergence of artificial intelligence and decentralised systems, true financial innovation requires seamless interoperability between legacy systems and emerging technologies. Treating verified crypto holdings as legitimate collateral directly challenges outdated financial tests that fail to capture the reality of decentralised wealth. It signals a gradual but undeniable shift toward a more inclusive, transparent and human-centric financial ecosystem that serves modern economic participants.
We must treat this bill as an early signal rather than an immediate solution for borrowers. United States policy begins to formally link crypto wealth to mainstream credit access for the first time. Implementation will proceed slowly, and institutional risk rules will remain conservative. The directional momentum is clear. Regulated recognition of digital asset balances will gradually transform how households qualify for major loans. Despite the current sideways price action stemming from geopolitical fears, this foundational progress in legislative recognition reinforces a fundamentally bullish outlook for the long-term integration of cryptocurrency into the global economy.
The intersection of macroeconomic pressure and legislative progress defines the current era of digital assets. While oil prices and geopolitical tensions dictate short-term price action, the structural integration of crypto into traditional finance dictates long-term value. Recognising digital assets in mortgage underwriting validates years of advocacy by the crypto community. It proves that decentralised wealth can coexist with regulated financial systems. This bill is a testament to the resilience of the industry. We are witnessing the early stages of a financial paradigm shift. The path forward requires patience, but the destination promises a more equitable, transparent, and technologically advanced economic landscape for all participants.
Source: https://e27.co/could-your-bitcoin-balance-soon-help-you-qualify-for-a-home-mortgage-20260720/
Anndy Lian is an early blockchain adopter and experienced serial entrepreneur who is known for his work in the government sector. He is a best selling book author- “NFT: From Zero to Hero” and “Blockchain Revolution 2030”.
Currently, he is appointed as the Chief Digital Advisor at Mongolia Productivity Organization, championing national digitization. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Chairman of BigONE Exchange, a global top 30 ranked crypto spot exchange and was also the Advisory Board Member for Hyundai DAC, the blockchain arm of South Korea’s largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Group. Lian played a pivotal role as the Blockchain Advisor for Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
An avid supporter of incubating start-ups, Anndy has also been a private investor for the past eight years. With a growth investment mindset, Anndy strategically demonstrates this in the companies he chooses to be involved with. He believes that what he is doing through blockchain technology currently will revolutionise and redefine traditional businesses. He also believes that the blockchain industry has to be “redecentralised”.