[U.S. Lending Institution Rate Launches Mortgage Program Recognizing Cryptocurrency Assets] According to Golden Finance, U.S. mortgage lender Rate has launched a nationwide program allowing eligible borrowers to use verified cryptocurrency assets to meet underwriting requirements without liquidating their assets. This marks the formal integration of digital assets into the traditional housing finance sector. The product, named RateFi, operates under the institution's existing non-qualified mortgage framework, enabling borrowers to count verified cryptocurrency assets as eligible reserves and, in certain cases, as a source of income. Kate Amor, Rate's Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Products, stated that during underwriting, RateFi evaluates digital assets using a proprietary valuation framework that considers market price, liquidity, and the volatility of specific assets. The program allows certain cryptocurrency assets to be used for borrower qualification without liquidation, while still adhering to traditional mortgage risk standards. However, any digital assets used for down payments or transaction settlement fees must still be converted into cash.