Energize Builders Celebrates Historic Federal Ruling Allowing Bitcoin Holdings for U.S. Mortgages
Los Angeles Construction Pioneer Who Accepted Crypto for Decade Says New FHFA Directive Validates Industry Innovation
LOS ANGELES, CA - June 26, 2025 - Alik Konovalenko, founder and CEO of Energize Builders, today applauded the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (FHFA) groundbreaking directive ordering Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings as assets in mortgage loan assessments. The ruling, announced Wednesday by FHFA Director William Pulte, represents a watershed moment for the construction and real estate industries.
"This federal recognition of cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset for mortgage qualification is exactly what our industry has been working toward," said Konovalenko, whose Los Angeles-based construction company has been accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for home renovations and new construction projects for over a decade. "We've seen firsthand how crypto holders have been shut out of traditional homeownership opportunities simply because lenders couldn't properly evaluate their digital wealth."
Energize Builders, a family-owned boutique design and remodeling company serving Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, began accepting cryptocurrency payments in 2015, making it one of the first construction companies in Southern California to embrace digital assets. Over the past ten years, the company has completed more than 200 projects funded partially or entirely through cryptocurrency transactions, ranging from luxury home renovations to ground-up custom builds.
Breaking Down Barriers to Homeownership
The FHFA directive specifically instructs mortgage giants to develop proposals for considering cryptocurrency assets "without conversion of said cryptocurrency to U.S. dollars," addressing a major pain point for crypto investors who previously had to liquidate their holdings to qualify for traditional mortgages.
"We've had clients with substantial Bitcoin portfolios who were forced to sell their digital assets at inopportune times just to show liquid capital for mortgage applications," Konovalenko explained. "This new policy preserves their investment strategies while enabling them to access homeownership – it's a win-win for financial innovation and housing accessibility."
The directive aligns with President Trump's stated vision to make the United States "the crypto capital of the world" and requires that only cryptocurrencies "stored on U.S.-regulated centralized exchanges subject to all applicable laws" be considered in mortgage assessments.
Industry Validation After Years of Innovation
Konovalenko's early adoption of cryptocurrency payments positioned Energize Builders at the forefront of a financial revolution that is now receiving federal recognition. The company's crypto-accepting business model has attracted tech entrepreneurs, early Bitcoin adopters, and forward-thinking investors throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
"Ten years ago, people thought we were crazy for accepting Bitcoin for construction projects," Konovalenko reflected. "Today, the federal government is recognizing what we've known all along – cryptocurrency represents real wealth and should be treated as such in major financial decisions like home purchases."
The construction industry has been particularly impacted by housing affordability challenges, with high interest rates and strict lending criteria limiting access to homeownership. Industry experts suggest that including cryptocurrency holdings in mortgage assessments could expand the pool of qualified borrowers and stimulate housing market activity.
Looking Forward
As Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac develop their implementation proposals over the coming months, Konovalenko anticipates increased demand for crypto-friendly construction and renovation services. Energize Builders is already expanding its cryptocurrency payment infrastructure to accommodate additional digital assets and streamline the transaction process for clients.
"This federal directive validates not just our business approach, but the broader principle that innovation should enhance opportunity, not restrict it," Konovalenko concluded. "We're excited to continue leading this evolution in how Americans finance their dream homes."
About Energize Builders
Founded by Alik Konovalenko, Energize Builders is a family-owned boutique design and construction company based in Los Angeles. For over 20 years, the company has specialized in residential remodeling, custom home construction, and innovative project financing solutions. Energize Builders serves clients throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Ventura County, with a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and forward-thinking business practices.
For more information about Energize Builders and cryptocurrency payment options, visit www.energizebuilders.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: Energize Builders Inc
Contact Person: Alik Konovalenko
Email: Send Email
Phone: +1 310-963-1567
Address: 13910 Fiji Way Ste 270, Marina del Rey
City: Los Angeles
State: CA 90292
Country: United States
Website: https://www.energizebuilders.com/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
27 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Apple, Netflix and Disney
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – June 27, 2025 – announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Apple AAPL, Netflix NFLX and Disney DIS. Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog: Apple Continues to Expand Services Business: What's the Path Ahead? Apple is continuously upgrading features of its Services offerings that revolve around the flagship device, iPhone. The company now has more than 1 billion paid subscribers across its Services portfolio, more than double what it had four years ago. In the fiscal second quarter, Services revenues grew 11.6% year over year to $26.65 billion. Infusion of Apple Intelligence into Services offerings like Apple Wallet and Apple Music is expected to drive top-line growth. At its latest annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced expansion to the Services business with AutoMix and Lyrics Translation features in Apple Music. Sing will allow users to transform their iPhones into a handheld microphone for Apple TV, while preferred routes and visited places in Apple Maps make navigation easier for users. Apple Intelligence is now getting added to Apple Wallet, and users can make purchases with Apple Pay. Powered by Apple Intelligence, Apple Wallet can now automatically identify, summarize and display order tracking details from emails sent from merchants or delivery carriers. Meanwhile, Apple Pay expands the ability to pay with rewards and installments to in-store purchases for added flexibility and choice. The company also introduced an update to Apple Maps that helps users search and discover top-ranked restaurants, hotels, golf courses and more, with the addition of rankings and insights from expert sources. Per our model, Apple's Services revenues are expected to see a CAGR of 15.6% between 2024 and 2027. Apple Faces Stiff Competition Netflix and Disney are major competitors in the Services space. Netflix is benefiting from its growing subscriber base, thanks to a robust localized and foreign-language content portfolio and healthy engagement levels with about two hours of viewing per member per day, indicating strong member retention. Netflix has set an ambitious target to double its revenues by 2030, supported by a diversified content strategy, including international programming, live events and gaming initiatives. Disney, on the other hand, has built up a massive global audience for its ad-supported streaming content. It has an estimated 157 million active users worldwide, 112 million of whom are of Disney's streaming platforms in the United States. Disney is benefiting from strength in Domestic Parks & Experiences revenues driven by growth at domestic parks, Disney Vacation Club and Disney Cruise Line. AAPL's Share Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates Apple shares have dropped 19.5% year to date (YTD), underperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's return of 4.5%. Apple stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 7.25X compared with the industry's 6.75X. AAPL has a Value Score of D. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings is pegged at $1.41 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, indicating 0.71% year-over-year growth. Apple Inc. price-consensus-chart | Apple Inc. Quote The consensus mark for fiscal 2025 earnings is pegged at $7.11 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days, suggesting 5.33% year-over-year growth. Apple currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation. See Stocks Free >> Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@ Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Zacks' Research Chief Picks Stock Most Likely to "At Least Double" Our experts have revealed their Top 5 recommendations with money-doubling potential – and Director of Research Sheraz Mian believes one is superior to the others. Of course, all our picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier recommendations like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%. See Our Top Stock to Double (Plus 4 Runners Up) >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Free Stock Analysis Report The Walt Disney Company (DIS): Free Stock Analysis Report
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
China eases restrictions on rare earth minerals to U.S.
China will review and approve exports of certain rare earth materials to the United States, the country's Ministry of Commerce said Friday, in exchange for Washington lifting 'a series of restrictive measures against China.' Rare earths have been a major sticking point in ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, ever since Beijing choked off the global supply of the critical minerals, vital for the production of modern automobiles, semiconductors, smartphones and military equipment. Following high-level talks in London this month, U.S. President Donald Trump said Beijing would supply rare earths and magnets, but companies had complained they were still struggling to get exports approved, often waiting weeks only to be turned down. U.S., China reach trade truce after two days of talks, Trump says On Thursday, U.S. officials indicated these problems were in the process of being ironed out, with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick telling Bloomberg that 'they're going to deliver rare earths to us,' after which Washington would 'take down our countermeasures.' Mr. Trump said a deal had been signed to 'open up China' on Wednesday, but did not go into details. Speaking to reporters on background, a White House official said the administration and China had agreed to an additional framework to implement their earlier trade agreement, and were working on expediting rare earth shipments to the U.S. In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that following a June 5 call between Mr. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, 'the teams maintained close communication' and had recently confirmed further details of a new framework. 'China will review and approve export applications for controlled items in accordance with the law,' the statement said. 'The U.S. will correspondingly lift a series of restrictive measures against China. Opinion: We have to do business with China – get over it It added it was 'hoped that the U.S. will work with China to follow through on the important consensus and requirements from the June 5 call, further leverage the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, enhance mutual understanding, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen cooperation, and jointly promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.' While rare earths are found in a number of countries around the world, including in Canada, China holds a near-monopoly when it comes to processing the materials, producing upwards of 70 per cent of all refined critical minerals, according to the International Energy Agency. Beijing has used its leverage to great effect against the U.S. and other trade partners, few of whom export anything of equal importance to China. As U.S. trade deal deadline looms, Ottawa begins to temper expectations But the strategy is a risky one, as it has led to complaints against China at the World Trade Organization, and bolstered calls by many policymakers in the West to break dependency on Chinese rare earths by friend-shoring processing or finding alternative materials for cutting edge technologies. As well as easing restrictions on exports to the U.S., China also this week began issuing new licenses to European firms caught up in the fallout of Mr. Trump's trade war against Beijing, after weeks of lobbying by Brussels, according to the South China Morning Post. Eva Valle Lagares, the European Commission's head of trade for China, said Thursday that it was 'unclear' whether Beijing had 'intentionally hit' E.U. firms, or whether the restrictions were an unintended result of tensions with Washington. 'In reality, it is probably a mix of everything. We are looking for a far more structural and reliable long-term solution,' Ms. Valle Lagares said. 'If we ever needed a business case for de-risking, China is giving us it right now.' With files from Alexandra Li in Beijing
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Study Finds Foreclosure and Recession Fears Point to Housing Slowdown
Article content ADA, Okla. — Legal requests related to foreclosures have reached their highest level in five years, coinciding with a new LegalShield survey showing that more than 70 percent of homeowners and prospective buyers worry that a potential recession and tariffs could disrupt their housing plans. Article content Article content LegalShield also saw a marked drop in inquiries related to home purchases and housing construction, suggesting a potential slowdown in the overall housing market. Article content 'The hard data from consumers calling lawyers matches their fears about the economy: their homes are at risk and things may get worse,' said Warren Schlichting, LegalShield CEO. 'The other concerning finding is a drop in consumers asking for help to buy a home and a decline in questions from builders.' Article content Foreclosure Surge Reflects Mounting Economic Strain Article content Calls to LegalShield provider lawyers about foreclosures spiked in May to the highest level since April 2020. Article content 'Our data highlights a convergence of pressures: buyers from the homebuying surge a few years ago want help with rising insurance premiums, property tax reassessments, and adjustable-rate mortgage resets,' said Matt Layton, senior vice president of consumer analytics. 'People are reaching out to LegalShield provider lawyers to save their homes, and they're scared of the next shoe to drop in the economy.' Article content Signs of the Times: Home Sales and Construction Inquiries Sink Article content In a potential sign of a coming slowdown in housing transactions and construction, LegalShield saw significant declines in inquiries about buying and selling existing homes and home building. Article content LegalShield fields approximately 150,000 calls monthly from consumers nationwide covering more than 90 areas of law, including real estate-related issues. Article content In May, legal activity related to housing sales fell to its lowest level since July 2023, the last time the Federal Reserve raised interest rates. Both buyers and sellers face mounting friction amid affordability challenges due to mortgage rate uncertainty, elevated home prices and inventory challenges. Article content LegalShield's Housing Construction Index, which tracks closely with Housing Starts reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, is now at its lowest level since March 2020 and down 4.1% this year suggesting a potential slowdown in new home building. Article content Legal Problems Driving Buyers Away Article content The nationwide survey, conducted in May, found that over a third of current homeowners (38%) experience costly legal issues related to their property, and 30% of all respondents have walked away from buying a home due to preventable legal problems. Homeowners say they regret not consulting an attorney in their homebuying process (44%). Article content 'Perhaps now more than ever, consumers need to consider how to protect themselves and their asset if they are able to buy a home in the midst of these economic headwinds,' said Schlichting. 'Instead of calling a lawyer after something goes wrong, smart homeowners are starting to get legal advice upfront—before they buy, before they renovate, before problems become expensive disasters.' Article content The LegalShield survey was conducted in May 2025 and surveyed 802 adults, ages 25-80, who live in the United States. The sample was balanced by age, among other demographic variables, according to the U.S. Census. Article content About LegalShield: Article content For more than 50 years, LegalShield has provided everyday Americans with easy and affordable access to legal advice, counsel, protection, and representation. Serving millions, LegalShield is one of the world's largest platforms for legal, identity, and reputation management services protecting individuals and businesses across North America. Founded in 1972, LegalShield, and its privacy management product, IDShield, has provided individuals, families, businesses, and employers with tools and services needed to affordably live a just and secure life. Through technology and innovation, LegalShield is disrupting the traditional legal system and transforming how and where people receive legal guidance and services, with access to hundreds of qualified, trusted attorneys and law firms. LegalShield and IDShield are products of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. To learn more about LegalShield and IDShield, visit and Article content Article content Article content Article content
