Mercado Libre shuts down Mercado Coin, ending its loyalty-driven crypto experiment

The play is less about immediate changes and more about setting a structural precedent, said David Duong, Coinbase’s global head of investment research. “Allowing borrowers to use Bitcoin or USDC as pledged collateral — rather than selling it — incrementally reinforces the narrative of crypto as productive collateral and deepens the link between onchain wealth and the real economy, particularly US housing,” he said. Under a new product launched by Better Home & Finance in partnership with Coinbase, borrowers can pledge Bitcoin or USDC as collateral for a second loan that funds the down payment on a conforming mortgage eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae.