March 26 (Reuters) – Coinbase is teaming up with Better Home & Finance to let homebuyers pledge their crypto holdings as collateral for down payments, marking one of the most ambitious attempts ‌yet to adapt digital assets for mainstream needs.

A prospective homeowner will be able to secure ‌a loan against the bitcoin or USDC in their Coinbase account to cover the down payment, the companies said on Thursday. The ​loan will be separate from the Fannie Mae-backed mortgage on the home.

The move will free homebuyers from having to sell their crypto to fund their downpayments, which is typically done via cash and cash equivalents.

Customers could hold on to their assets for longer, potentially benefiting from further price…