Crypto lending firm Milo has surpassed 100 million dollars in originated crypto backed mortgages, closing a record 12 million dollar transaction as demand grows among digital asset holders seeking to unlock liquidity without selling their coins.
The U.S. based company allows borrowers to pledge bitcoin or ether as collateral for home loans of up to 25 million dollars. Instead of making a traditional cash down payment, clients post crypto equal to 100 percent of the property value, enabling them to retain exposure to their digital assets while financing real estate purchases.
According to the company, its mortgage portfolio has recorded zero margin calls despite multiple periods of sharp volatility in crypto markets. Unlike conventional crypto loans that may trigger liquidation after relatively small price declines, Milo says its underwriting model is designed to withstand drawdowns of up to 65 percent before risk adjustments are required.
Founder Josip Rupena said many of the firm’s customers accumulated bitcoin years ago and now hold a large portion of their net worth in digital assets. While some of these individuals earn steady incomes, their reported salary alone may not qualify them for high value home purchases under traditional lending standards. Crypto backed mortgages provide an alternative path to real estate ownership without forcing taxable asset sales.
The typical transaction size at Milo is approximately 1.5 million dollars, though the recent 12 million dollar deal in Tennessee marks the largest single mortgage issued by the firm to date. The company is licensed in ten U.S. states, including Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Arizona and Tennessee, with plans to expand further.
Collateral can be held with qualified custodians such as Coinbase or BitGo, or borrowers may opt for self custody depending on their risk preferences and compliance requirements. Loan rates currently begin at 8.25 percent, and funds may also be used for land acquisition, property renovations, or business related investments.
In cases where crypto prices fall sharply, Milo says it adjusts loan to value ratios rather than immediately liquidating collateral. The firm’s structure aims to protect homeowners from losing property due to temporary market swings, provided borrowers continue making scheduled payments.
The milestone reflects a broader trend of digital asset integration into traditional finance. As more investors accumulate significant wealth in crypto, demand is rising for products that translate token holdings into real world purchasing power. By bridging crypto balance sheets and property markets, lenders like Milo are testing how blockchain era assets can support long term financial planning.
With over 100 million dollars now deployed and expansion underway, crypto backed mortgages are moving beyond niche experimentation toward a more established segment of alternative lending.
