v3.22.2.2
Valuation (Schedule of Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Sep. 30, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) [1],[2] $ 1,522,772 $ 2,087,360
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value [1] 171,379 195,643
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 160,043 18,894
Investments sold short, at fair value- (199,542) (120,525)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (50,418) (12,298)
Other secured borrowings, at fair value [1] (1,635,829) (984,168)
Senior notes, at fair value 193,515 0
Level 3 | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 105,785 134,888
Level 3 | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 8,669 13,134
Level 3 | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 17,288 26,678
Level 3 | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets   10,531
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 5,677,089 4,717,218
Total liabilities (2,079,304) (1,116,991)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (199,542) (120,525)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (17) (1,870)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (251) (99)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (32) (39)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (49,041) (9,098)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (798) (909)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (242) (75)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (208)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (37)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (1,635,829) (984,168)
Senior notes, at fair value 193,515  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 1,135,315 1,696,616
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 216,548 216,554
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 19,552 25,643
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 30,535 62,329
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 75,568 73,108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 3,602 5,554
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 11,169 7,556
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 30,483  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 3,348,810 2,016,228
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 464,513 326,197
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 6,038 62,365
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 3,534 10,531
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 77 303
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 930 156
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 95  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,250 1,751
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 125,823 13,993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 29,116 1,229
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 828 478
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 261  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 663 706
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   278
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 171,379 195,643
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 828 478
Total liabilities (242) (75)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (242) (75)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Senior notes, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 828 478
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 1 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 1,452,010 1,835,201
Total liabilities (249,681) (132,748)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- (199,542) (120,525)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (17) (1,870)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (251) (99)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (32) (39)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (49,041) (9,098)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (798) (909)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   (208)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value 0 0
Senior notes, at fair value 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 1,127,496 1,686,906
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 110,763 81,666
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 10,883 12,509
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 13,247 35,651
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 356
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 30,483  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 930 156
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 95  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 2,250 1,751
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 125,823 13,993
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 29,116 1,229
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 261  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 663 706
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   278
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 2 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Total assets 4,224,251 2,881,539
Total liabilities (1,829,381) (984,168)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investments Sold Short | Government debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investments sold short, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Liabilities | Total return swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value- (37)  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Other secured borrowings, at fair value    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Other secured borrowings, at fair value (1,635,829) (984,168)
Senior notes, at fair value 193,515  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 7,819 9,710
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Non-Agency RMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 105,785 134,888
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CMBS    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 8,669 13,134
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | CLOs    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 17,288 26,678
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Asset-backed securities, backed by consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 75,568 73,108
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate debt securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 3,602 5,198
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | Corporate equity securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 11,169 7,556
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Securities | U.S. Treasury securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Securities, at fair value(1)(2) 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Residential mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 3,348,810 2,016,228
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Commercial mortgage loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 464,513 326,197
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Consumer loans    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 6,038 62,365
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Loans | Corporate loan [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Loans, at fair value 3,534 10,531
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 77 303
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on corporate bonds    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Interest rate swaps    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | TBA securities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Futures    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Forwards    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Warrants    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value- 0 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Financial Derivatives - Assets | Put Option [Member]    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-   0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Level 3 | Investment in unconsolidated entities    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Investment in unconsolidated entities, at fair value $ 171,379 $ 195,643
[1] Ellington Financial Inc.'s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes assets and liabilities of variable interest entities it has consolidated. See Note 9 for additional details on Ellington Financial Inc.'s consolidated variable interest entities.
[2] Includes assets pledged as collateral to counterparties. See Note 11 for additional details on the Company's borrowings and related collateral.