Crypto Mortgages: When Bitcoin Buys Brick, Not Just Hype

by

Finance

What to know:

  • In this age of digital serfdom, Milo offers the crypto-rich a chance to trade their volatile chains of code for the solidity of brick and mortar, all without parting with their precious Bitcoin or Ether. A loan of up to $25 million, they say, and not a single satoshi need be sold. A modern miracle, or merely a clever trap for the digitally deluded?
  • Milo demands 100% of the property’s value in crypto collateral-a king’s ransom in digital scrip. Held by the likes of Coinbase or BitGo, or, for the paranoid, in self-custody. A prudent move, or a desperate gamble in the casino of the blockchain?
  • Interest starts at 8.25%, a small price, they claim, for the privilege of turning one’s digital hoard into a tangible estate. Land, home improvements, even business ventures-all within reach, provided the crypto gods remain favorable.

Milo, a purveyor of crypto-backed mortgages, has reportedly originated over $100 million in home loans, including a record $12 million deal. A triumph of financial innovation, or a monument to the folly of the crypto-obsessed? The firm, licensed in ten U.S. states and counting, boasts a perfect record of zero margin calls, despite the tempestuous seas of crypto volatility. A testament to their prudence, or merely the calm before the storm?

Founder Josip Rupena speaks of the crypto-rich, those who, a decade ago, heeded a friend’s advice and clung to their Bitcoin through the maelstrom of market madness. Today, 95% of their net worth lies in crypto, a digital fortune that traditional lenders scorn. Aged 30 to 55, gainfully employed, yet unable to afford the homes they desire. Milo steps in, a savior or a siren, offering a bridge between the digital and the tangible.

“Our typical transaction is a million and a half dollar home,” Rupena declares. “A customer might earn $100k a year, but their crypto net worth could be three to seven million. If Bitcoin were Apple stock, would such a product be necessary? No. But Bitcoin is no Apple stock. It is a pariah, volatile and untrusted. Thus, we exist, a necessary evil in a world of digital uncertainty.”

Milo’s loans, starting at 8.25%, are not for the faint of heart. Unlike traditional crypto loans, which falter at a 25% drop, Milo’s product is designed to withstand a 65% drawdown. A conservative approach, they claim, but is it enough to weather the crypto winter? Even in turbulent times, Rupena assures, Milo will reduce the loan value if necessary, ensuring the borrower keeps their home. A noble promise, or a desperate attempt to maintain the illusion of stability?

From Miami to Tennessee, Milo’s transactions span the nation, a testament to the growing demand for such services. Blessed by Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back, who calls it a “game changer,” Milo’s product allows buyers to build equity in real estate without selling their cherished Bitcoin. A wise investment, or a fool’s errand in a world where the only constant is change?

“Milo’s product unlocks real-world use cases for so many bitcoiners,” Back proclaims. “While Bitcoin appreciates, buyers can build equity in real estate, holding onto their long-term conviction.” But what if Bitcoin’s appreciation is but a mirage, a fleeting dream in the desert of financial speculation? Only time will tell if Milo’s crypto-backed mortgages are a revolution, or merely another chapter in the grand farce of digital finance.

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2026-02-18 15:53