Counterparty Risk (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Financial Instruments transferred as collateral for repurchase agreements		$ 1,618,000	$ 2,763,000
Cash and cash equivalents	[1]	$ 146,531	$ 72,302

[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.