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Moon Mortgage
Crypto-backed residential lending and financing for US borrowers
2.5/ 5
Our score
Weak
What is Moon Mortgage?
Moon Mortgage is a United States lending provider offering crypto-backed real estate loans and financing. The service enables crypto investors to post digital assets as collateral to fund residential property purchases or access liquidity through loan accounts, bypassing the need to liquidate digital holdings and trigger immediate capital gains events.
Team and background
Moon Mortgage Inc. was founded by Aaron Nevin, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, and Tristan Marino, who serves as Chief Operating Officer. The company operates out of Miami, Florida. In August 2024, digital financial market infrastructure provider Avrio Worldwide, PBC acquired Moon Mortgage through a bi-directional common stock acquisition, integrating the lending platform into Avrio Worldwide's regulated structure.
Lending structure and products
The company introduced two flagship lending products: Crypto Mortgage and Trade & Borrow. Rather than deploying smart contracts directly on public blockchains, the service operates as a centralized lending model tailored to real-world asset acquisition. Borrowers pledge cryptocurrency collateral to secure loans denominated in fiat for residential real estate transactions or discretionary borrowing. Custodial mechanics and mortgage origination are managed through its regulated lending entities.
Availability and licensing
Moon Mortgage targets borrowers based in the United States. Mortgage servicing and origination operate under licensed lending subsidiaries registered in the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, including Moon Mortgage Servicing LLC (NMLS ID #2361495), Moon Mortgage Residential LLC (NMLS ID #2353334), and Moon Mortgage LMA LLC (NMLS ID #2419733). Identity verification and formal financial onboarding are standard requirements for all mortgage applications.
Risks and considerations
Borrowers face liquidation risks tied to cryptocurrency volatility. Sharp declines in the value of pledged collateral can trigger margin calls or automatic liquidations to maintain required loan-to-value ratios. Additionally, because Moon Mortgage operates as a centralized financial intermediary rather than a non-custodial decentralized protocol, users depend on centralized counterparty risk, custodial stability, and company solvent operations throughout the loan's multi-year duration.
Founders
Aaron NevinFounder & CEO
Tristan MarinoFounder & COO
Best for:US crypto holders buying homesInvestors seeking fiat liquidityReal estate buyers avoiding liquidations
Pros and cons
Pros
- Allows borrowing against crypto without triggering capital gains taxes on digital asset sales
- Operates under registered NMLS regulatory licensing in the United States
- Provides financing specifically structured for US residential property purchases
- Backed by digital financial infrastructure firm Avrio Worldwide following an August 2024 merger
Cons
- Requires centralized custody over collateral rather than trustless smart contracts
- Collateral is vulnerable to liquidation during sharp market downturns
- Full identity verification and mortgage underwriting documentation are mandatory
- Services are restricted to borrowers residing in the United States
Our review
2.5/5
Weak
Moon Mortgage provides crypto-backed residential mortgages and loans under US licensing, but requires centralized custodial collateral and full identity verification rather than onchain DeFi mechanics.
Moon Mortgage is a centralized crypto lending company founded by Aaron Nevin and Tristan Marino, operating out of Miami, Florida. The platform lets borrowers post cryptocurrency assets as collateral to fund residential real estate purchases or access discretionary liquidity without triggering taxable token sales. In August 2024, the business merged with digital financial infrastructure provider Avrio Worldwide through a stock transaction.
Borrowing through the service involves distinct trade-offs compared to decentralized protocols. Moon Mortgage operates as a regulated US financial entity rather than a smart contract protocol, holding mortgage servicing and lending licenses under NMLS ID #2361495, NMLS ID #2353334, and NMLS ID #2419733. While this framework provides regulatory oversight, it excludes core DeFi mechanisms such as permissionless pools and flash loans.
Key strengths and weaknesses include:
- Regulated US lending framework with multiple NMLS licenses.
- Ability to finance real estate properties without liquidating crypto positions.
- Custodial collateral model requiring full identity verification (KYC).
- No onchain transparency or smart contract automation.
The service suits US-based cryptocurrency holders who want to acquire real estate or borrow fiat against their crypto assets within a traditional legal structure. Users looking for self-custodial borrowing and anonymous interaction should choose onchain lending protocols instead.
Sources (1)
Key features
Crypto mortgage financing
Enables crypto holders to post digital assets as collateral for residential real estate mortgages without selling their tokens.
Trade & Borrow accounts
Provides discretionary credit lines collateralized by cryptocurrency holdings for short-term liquidity needs.
Centralized loan servicing
Manages loan origination and mortgage administration through dedicated, NMLS-registered servicing entities.
Fiat loan distributions
Distributes loan capital directly in fiat currency to facilitate standard real estate settlement procedures.
Real-world asset integration
Bridges digital asset collateral directly with physical real estate purchases across US property markets.
Inside Moon Mortgage
Crypto Mortgage
A mortgage product that lets borrowers pledge cryptocurrency collateral to finance residential real estate purchases.
Trade & Borrow
A collateralized credit product allowing crypto investors to borrow funds against their digital assets.
User reviews
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FAQ
Who founded Moon Mortgage?
Moon Mortgage was founded by Aaron Nevin, who serves as CEO, and Tristan Marino, who serves as COO.
Where is Moon Mortgage available?
Moon Mortgage operates in the United States under registered NMLS lending and servicing licenses.
Is KYC required to use Moon Mortgage?
Yes, identity verification is required because Moon Mortgage operates as a regulated mortgage and lending institution.
Does Moon Mortgage have a governance token?
No, Moon Mortgage does not have a native cryptocurrency or governance token.
Who owns Moon Mortgage?
Moon Mortgage operates under Avrio Worldwide, PBC following a merger announced in August 2024.
Latest from Moon Mortgage on X
Check out pt. 2 of our interview with @TheStreet https://t.co/MHqaJo528m
Check out pt 1 of our interview with @TheStreet
https://t.co/EpN8FP3zEO
https://t.co/EpN8FP3zEO
Extremely excited to have a booth at this years #Bitcoin2023 conference in Miami! Swing by to learn more about our lending products and how to materialize your digital wealth!
Just touched down in Austin for #Consensus !!!
Recent public posts from @MoonMortgageio, shown as published. Not reviewed or endorsed by CryptoReview.
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