Dominating crypto news in Australia is the news that lending firms can now offer Bitcoin-backed lending options to home buyers. With that news, Christie’s International Real Estate has taken charged and launched a new division entirely focused on crypto transactions.
The US-based firm is the first to create a dedicated team to handle crypto-based home sales, specifically focusing on the luxury real estate world. The firm now has more than US$1B in luxury listings, all of which are available and open to crypto offers.
Christie’s Taking the Lead
Christie’s crypto-based home sales unit is tasked with handling any deals involving crypto assets. They are exclusively handling those transaction types, essentially eschewing the need for traditional banking systems. There has already been a massive purchase of US$65 million in Beverly Hills.
Southern California CEO of Christie’s Aaron Kirman said to the New York Times that this massive shift comes as a result of buyer demand. Those buyers, he said, prefer greater privacy and digital payments rather than more traditional financing methods.
“The trend was obvious – crypto ius here to stay,” he said. “It’s only going to get bigger over the next few years.”
Speed and anonymity have become major drawing points for those who favor crypto. There are even some transactions where the seller doesn’t even know who the buyer is, using legal representatives instead to verify the source of funds. In most cases, buyers establish LLCs that are funding using crypto, which provides greater anonymity compared to more traditional bank-backed entities.
Currently, Christie’s crypto-based unit oversees a portfolio of more than US$1 billion in properties available through crypto-only purchases. There are some massive homes available, accounting for nearly one quarter of that mark.
Change in Policy a Difference Maker
The biggest shift came rather recently, when Australian lending firm Block Earner scored a major regulatory win. Australia’s Federal Court ultimately ruled that Block Earner’s products aren’t considered financial products under the Corporations Act. Because of this, Block Earner can offer crypto-related collateral for home loans without needing to acquire a financial services license.
The move comes as a means to give buyers the opportunity to find other access into the house market. Borrowers can access up to 50% of the property’s value in cash while using traditional financing for the remaining balance. Buyers must use a qualified custody platform in order to collateralize those assets.
Given the challenges of affordable housing in both Australia and the United States, this move is an attempt to open access to the market for buyers. In Sydney, the average home price is nearly 14 times the average income. Though this isn’t a solution, it is a deterrent that experts remain hopeful about.
Adjusting Lending Framework
This win by Block Earner ultimately opens up new pathways for lending criteria that goes beyond salary, savings or superannuation. Crypto holdings give buyers the chance to utilize growing financial assets in order to better their chances in the loan approval process. Remember, borrowers will need to secure their Bitcoin through verified custody platforms in order to further the transaction.
This type of mortgage would see a combination of crypto-backed cash and traditional home lending in Australia. Crypto-backed cash goes up to 50% of the loan-to-value ratio and this hybrid model will help reduce default risk while giving borrowers more access to the marketplace.
Block Earner has been challenging the need for a financial services license in court over the past two years. The ruling supports the notion that a license is not required and that crypto assets don’t necessarily operate within the traditional regulatory framework that more conventional institutions work under.
This move is seen as a potential domino effect. More lenders will no doubt begin to offer crypto-backed home loans, broadening the market even further.
U.S. to Follow Suit?
Experts monitoring the situation in Australia have their eyes now turned to the United States. The U.S. has already been looking into the possibilities of using crypto-backed mortgage financing, and this move could be the nudge it needs to drag this across the finish line.
Back on June 25, the Federal Housing Finance Agency issued a directive to major mortgage agencies instructing them to begin the process of evaluating cryptocurrency for consideration as a possible reserve asset. That move feels like the next logical step before ultimately mirroring Australia.
The U.S. House of Representatives is overseeing a bill that was recently introduced that would change mortgage eligibility requirements to include cryptocurrency. If the bill does get passed, it would provide regulated exchange holdings the chance to qualify without having to do a dollar conversion.
The ruling could serve as a benchmark, a precedent for other countries and how they structure home loans. Whether we see immediate action elsewhere remains to be seen, but this could be a pioneering move for both the home buying and cryptocurrency industries.
Crypto in Australia: Key Statistics
This move is an interesting one, especially given the rising statistics as it relates to crypto ownership in Australia. Let’s take a look at some of the more surprising numbers and see what kind of trends may be creating the future of crypto in Australia.
Nearly 5 Million Australians Own Crypto
As of 2025, 17.7% of Australians – more than 4.6 million people – own at least one form of cryptocurrency. As regulations are starting to become more favorable for crypto ownership, experts anticipate that the numbers will only continue to grow.
Bitcoin Remains King
In Australia, Bitcoin, Binance Coin, and Ethereum are the most widely held tokens around. Given that they are the three largest when it comes to market cap, maybe that’s not such a surprise. Of all crypto holders in Australia, a whopping 65% have Bitcoin holdings of some sort.
Community Engagement a Driving Factor
There are a number of key factors as it relates to crypto growth in Australia. One of the most common answers is to ‘Do Your Own Research.’ Contrary to popular belief, family and friends only account for 8% of Australians making crypto investment decisions. Influencers are slightly higher, but make up only 10% of that total.
More than anything else, 52% of Australians do their own research, checking community engagement and reading white papers to create their own informed decisions. There is nothing wrong with looking at the facts before making a decision on crypto holdings and investments.
The Future of Mortgage Lending?
By now, it is clear that crypto isn’t going anywhere. As major names like Bitcoin continue to garner institutional backing, experts feel that the market will continue to be bullish. Where that takes Bitcoin’s price remains to be seen, but it helps further its current standing as a means of obtaining a home loan.
The court ruling and the strength of Charlie’s luxury real estate listings are just the beginning. As more lenders enter the market, it should be the beginning of a major market shift in both housing and crypto.
