Latest news with #Konovalenko
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
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 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: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Energize Builders Celebrates Historic Federal Ruling Allowing Bitcoin Holdings for U.S. Mortgages
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Singer Traveled 24 Hours for Pricey Double Jaw Surgery. She Never Expected How It Would Affect Her Voice (Exclusive)
A singer from Ukraine, who releases music under the name 'Aiela,' had double jaw surgery to fix long-term issues from childhood cleft palate surgeries and a worsening overbite The procedure required 24 hours of travel each way, but strong support and a great medical team helped her through Since her surgery in March, the 24-year-old has surprisingly noticed better breathing and vocal tone and feels hopeful about returning to music soonAs a child, Alesia Konovalenko underwent multiple cleft palate surgeries – three in total, including a corrective procedure after complications arose from the second one. Those early challenges left a lasting impact on her facial bone development and bite. Ultimately, recurring ear pain triggered the Ukrainian singer to undergo a double jaw surgery in March 2025 – one that has transformed her both physically and mentally. 'My initial desire was to have a beautiful smile because I've had overbite issues and my teeth were just acting out during my whole life,' Konovalenko, 24, tells PEOPLE exclusively. Her cleft palate history – and how it shaped her face – wasn't fully understood until recently. At the time of her early surgeries, there wasn't much awareness about interventions like mouth posture or jaw exercises that might have prevented bite problems down the line. At age 12, Konovalenko got braces for the first time and wore them until she was 16. 'My teeth, they looked straight, but my overbite was still pretty big,' she explains. 'So that basically was just like a cover-up.' It wasn't until she began having frequent, random earaches two years ago that she discovered something more serious was going on. Konovalenko was already in her second round of braces when a gnathologist warned her they might make her symptoms worse. Further visits confirmed that her frequent ear pain was directly linked to her overbite, and in her case, surgery was the only effective solution. Konovalenko had already explored surgical options back in 2020, but things fell apart after meeting with a facial surgeon. 'He consulted several colleagues but seemed unsure how to proceed,' Konovalenko reveals. 'Eventually, he just stopped responding.' Although disheartening, in hindsight, she feels lucky it didn't work out back then. Things changed when she met her current surgeon in Kyiv. 'He was super calm. He was super friendly… not pretentious at all,' she says. 'Like very simple and inviting, and also totally able to answer questions.' He took her medical history seriously and collaborated with a pediatric cleft palate specialist. 'That gave me confidence,' she admits. 'They explained what was wrong and what needed to be done – without hesitation.' For the first time, Konovalenko felt truly seen and understood. On March 6, 2025, the day of the procedure, she felt calm and surprisingly joyful. 'I was actually feeling very well, and I was surprised by that. Mentally, I was immediately super happy that I had done the surgery,' she says. The most complex part of her experience was all the traveling leading up to the big day. Based in Berlin for college, Konovalenko had to make multiple one-way, 24-hour trips by bus to Kyiv, where she intended to have the procedure and receive care. Due to the distance, in September 2024, she decided to take a year off from studying sound engineering and music production to focus on her health, although it wasn't an easy choice. 'There's no flying,' Konovalenko explains. 'So I didn't want to miss the whole year being constantly recovering after a trip, or recovering after a surgery.' The financial side wasn't easy either. The surgery, including hospital stay, aftercare, and medication, totaled around $11,500 – all paid out of pocket because she chose a private clinic. Still, Konovalenko has no regrets. 'My family is here, and they were able to come with me everywhere,' she says. 'It's very important after the surgery to have a responsible adult with you.' Konovalenko's first week of recovery was tough. The first five days she ate through a syringe, then transitioned to a small spoon. She was shocked when her doctor told her she could begin soft-chewed foods on day seven. She had been mentally prepared for a two-month liquid diet, so the recovery was full of surprises – mostly positive ones. 'That gave me confidence, because if I can do this, go through all of this, then I can do anything,' she shares. 'I just want to live my best life.' Konovalenko credits her smooth healing to hydration, good appetite, and a strong mental state. The biggest physical challenges were the lingering swelling and joint pain, which she compared to a migraine in her bones, but her swelling came down about 80% within two weeks. She started to see improvements immediately after the procedure. 'I breathe so much easier,' she wrote on an Instagram post at the time. 'My smelling abilities increased geometrically so much that I might write a comic book about that.' Konovalenko was genuinely surprised by how open and effortless breathing felt afterward. It was only then that she realized how much space had been restricted by the jaw bone prior to the procedure. 'Since the surgery, I've noticed more ease in breath support and a subtle shift in how my voice resonates due to the increased space in my oral cavity,' the singer reveals. While watching YouTube videos from Coachella, Konovalenko decided to test out her skills. 'I went to a different room and just sang on my full range—it felt amazing,' she recalls. Her vocal tone has subtly shifted as a result of her palate being more rounded and singing feels smoother and more powerful. Her pronunciation has also improved, something that's crucial for singers who rely on their mouths as their main instrument. Konovalenko was initially afraid of post-surgery numbness, especially in her chin and lower lip, where there's always a risk that feeling won't return. But just a few days after surgery, she started feeling tingling and burning — early signs of healing. Though she's not quite back to full strength yet, Konovalenko's hopeful and looking forward to singing more regularly again soon. Read the original article on People
