Tech Pulse: Lawmakers press FHFA on crypto for mortgages

Welcome back to Tech Pulse — HousingWire‘s weekly series rounding up the latest in technology news, including tools, integrations and trends that impact mortgage and real estate.

Here’s what happened this week:

Senate Democrats press FHFA on crypto use in mortgages

Five Senate Democrats are urging caution as the Federal Housing Finance Agency considers allowing unconverted cryptocurrency in mortgage underwriting. Citing volatility, security and ethical concerns, the lawmakers warn such a move could destabilize housing markets. Pushback follows FHFA Director Bill Pulte’s social media remarks signaling openness to crypto-backed mortgage assets.

Has the real estate portal landscape changed after all the M&A?

The real estate portal space may look static, but behind the scenes, mergers like Rocket’s acquisition of Redfin are shaking up the status quo. As Rocket, Zillow and others race to build end-to-end housing ecosystems, analysts warn the landscape is evolving fast — and the next big move could be imminent.

Opendoor announces new home seller option amid meme stock craze

Opendoor is betting on a new product, Cash Plus, to reignite seller interest amid a frozen housing market. The offering gives homeowners quick cash upfront with potential for more after sale. Launched alongside agent tools and program expansions, it arrives as Opendoor battles financial strain — and sudden meme-stock fame.

InGenius acquires mortgage recruiting platform SIMPL

InGenius has acquired recruitment platform SIMPL to supercharge mortgage hiring efforts. Now integrated into InGenius 2.0, SIMPL streamlines recruiting with smart workflows, automation and built-in resources tailored for producing branch managers. The move aims to solve a key industry pain point: scaling teams without disrupting daily production.

realMLS adds transparency platform Rayse as a member benefit

RealMLS has partnered with Rayse to offer all members free access to the transparency-focused real estate platform. Now featuring seller tools, Rayse helps agents showcase their work throughout a transaction — a timely move amid shifting industry norms post-commission lawsuits. Early adopters are eligible to win Jacksonville Jaguars tickets.

NWMLS launches voice-activated home search tool

Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) has launched “Finding Homes,” a bilingual, voice-activated home search tool accessible via Amazon‘s Alexa. Built with inclusivity in mind, it supports English and Spanish queries and aids users with disabilities. Developed with Lundy Inc. and Able Environments, the platform transforms home searches into natural conversations.

Final Offer joins LeadingRE preferred vendor program

LeadingRE has added Final Offer to its Solutions Group, expanding its tech offerings for 550-plus global real estate firms. Final Offer brings real-time offer transparency to both on- and pre-market listings, helping agents communicate seller terms clearly and keep buyers informed. The platform aims to modernize negotiations while reinforcing agent value and consumer trust.

AI startup Further launches homebuying platform

Real estate tech startup Further has launched a new AI-powered homebuying platform featuring Homebuyer AI, a virtual assistant designed to guide users through every step of purchasing a home. The assistant evolves with each user, offering smarter, more tailored advice over time.

Rechat launches ‘Lucy,’ an AI agent assistant

Rechat has officially launched Lucy, an AI-powered agent assistant designed to streamline daily operations for real estate professionals. Integrated into Rechat’s all-in-one platform, Lucy supports client communication, marketing, and transaction management.

MoxiWorks promotes Dave Greenbaum to chief customer officer

MoxiWorks has named Dave Greenbaum as its first chief customer officer. He will drive support, retention and satisfaction as the company continues evolving its platform and customer experience strategy.