Coinbase the New Goldman Sachs? Cathie Wood Thinks So After FHFA Shocker
Cathie Wood: New Mortgage Rule Could Let You Use Crypto To Buy a Home
A bold new move by the U.S. housing agency could change the mortgage game forever—especially for crypto investors. As part of a broader shift under the Trump administration’s pro-crypto agenda, a recent directive might let Americans use cryptocurrency holdings as part of their mortgage applications.
But there’s a catch—only some crypto will count. And it’s sparking major debate in the crypto community.
FHFA’s Big Crypto Move: What Just Happened
On June 25, 2025, William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), issued a groundbreaking order. It directs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—the two government-backed mortgage giants—to develop mortgage guidelines that accept cryptocurrency as an asset in single-family home loan assessments.
Why It Matters
This means Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets could soon help people qualify for home loans—a major shift in how wealth is calculated for mortgage approval.
ARK Invest CEO Cathie Wood welcomed the move, saying it could “boost both crypto and housing significantly.” She believes the change could unlock **new opportunities for long-time crypto holders to afford homes they previously couldn’t.
But Not All Crypto Counts—And That’s the Controversy
Here’s where the debate begins: the FHFA’s order only considers crypto stored on U.S.-regulated, centralized exchanges. In other words, your Bitcoin has to be sitting on platforms like Coinbase or Kraken—not in your private wallet or cold storage.
Why This Angers Crypto Purists
A big part of crypto’s appeal is decentralization—being free from banks, governments, and middlemen. So when the FHFA says your self-custodied crypto doesn’t count toward a mortgage, many in the community see that as a betrayal of crypto’s founding principles.
One user on X (formerly Twitter), @StackingAlpha, criticized the move, asking whether people would really shift their Bitcoin to centralized platforms just to get approved for a mortgage.
Cathie Wood’s Take: Homeowners Will Adapt
Cathie Wood didn’t back down. In response, she said she expects many long-time crypto holders to move some of their Bitcoin to centralized exchanges like Coinbase—especially if it helps them finally buy a house.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some crypto holders moved a portion of their assets to Coinbase to qualify for a once unattainable new home,” said Wood.
She suggests that those who have held onto crypto for years have significant net worth in it—and this new path could help them unlock real-world value.
Coinbase Named as a Key Player
While the FHFA didn’t name any particular crypto exchange, Wood mentioned Coinbase as a prime example of a compliant U.S. platform that could play a critical role in this shift.
And it’s no coincidence—ARK Invest owns over $1 billion in Coinbase (COIN) shares, according to data from Stockcircle.
Coinbase’s Big Moment: The “New Goldman Sachs”
Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., and its public image has only grown in 2025. It recently joined the S&P 500 on May 19 and hit an all-time high of $381.35 per share on June 26.
Some experts, including pro-XRP lawyer John Deaton, have even compared Coinbase to major Wall Street institutions like:
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Goldman Sachs
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Merrill Lynch
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JPMorgan Chase
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American Express
He called the FHFA directive “great news” not just for Coinbase, but for mainstream crypto adoption overall.
What This Means for the Future of Crypto and Housing
Crypto Might Finally Go Mainstream in Finance
For years, critics said crypto was too volatile and unregulated to be taken seriously in finance. But now, even federal mortgage programs are starting to recognize its value.
But Centralization Is Back in the Spotlight
This shift may come with trade-offs. If government programs only recognize crypto stored on centralized exchanges, users will have to choose between full control and financial opportunity.
A New Era for Crypto-Backed Home Loans
The FHFA’s new directive could open the door to millions of Americans using their crypto wealth to secure homes—especially first-time buyers who missed out on earlier real estate booms but invested heavily in Bitcoin or Ethereum.
However, it also reignites old debates within the crypto world—can decentralization survive in a system built on central control?
Either way, one thing is clear: crypto is no longer just an internet curiosity—it’s becoming part of the American financial fabric.
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