Australia's Block Earner has launched the country's first Bitcoin-backed mortgage, providing a new pathway for crypto holders to enter the property market without liquidating their assets. This initiative follows a regulatory decision that cleared Block Earner from the requirements of a financial services license for crypto-backed loans. Borrowers can secure a cash loan covering up to 50% of the property’s value using Bitcoin as collateral, entrusted to the custody platform Fireblocks. Additionally, this model introduces an innovative approach to assessing creditworthiness beyond traditional income and savings criteria. Both Australia and the US are facing significant housing crises, with home prices increasingly out of reach for average citizens, prompting new financial solutions involving cryptocurrency. In the US, ongoing discussions about including crypto assets as part of borrowers' financial profiles aim to further integrate cryptocurrencies into the mortgage industry. This evolution highlights the urgency of providing diverse lending options amid rising housing costs, as Bitcoin prices have increased significantly, making homes more affordable in relative terms.

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