BTC-backed lending rates vary dramatically across platforms — from 6.5% to over 19% effective APR in the April 2026 snapshot. This guide breaks down reviewed APRs, hidden fees, and which structures may fit different borrower situations.
Key Takeaways
- 1Lava offers the lowest published base rate (6.5–7.5%) but its custody model is unresolved (reportedly custodial as of Nov 2025; its site still markets self-custody).
- 2Always compare effective APR, not advertised APR — origination fees can add 1–3%.
- 3Arch advertises 8.49% but most borrowers pay 11.84% due to tiered pricing.
- 4The best lender depends on your loan size, custody preference, and risk tolerance.
Rate Comparison Table (April 2026)
Rates shown reflect the standard BTC product term we track for each lender. Most are 12-month terms; YouHodler is currently 30-day only.
| Platform | Advertised APR | Effective APR* | Origination Fee | Min Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lava | 6.5–7.5% | 6.5–7.5% | None | $100 |
| Figure | 8.91% | 9.999% | 1% | $500 |
| Ledn | 9.99–11.49% | 9.99–11.49% | None | $500 |
| Arch | 8.49–11.84% | 10.0–13.3% | 1.5% | $5,000 |
| YouHodler | Daily fee model | Quote form | None | $100 |
| Nexo | quote-dependent | Varies** | None | $100 |
| Unchained | quote-only APR | quote-only APR | 2% + $250/yr | $150,000 |
*Effective APR includes origination fees amortized over a standard 12-month term where applicable. YouHodler's public help pages verify a daily-fee model; exact LTV, PDL, and tariff terms are shown inside the loan form. **Nexo publishes from-rate marketing, but borrower terms are quote-, collateral-, jurisdiction-, and account-dependent.
Best Rates by Loan Size
Small Loans (Under $5,000)
Good fits: Lava for lowest cost, YouHodler only if max LTV matters more than rate
- Lava: 6.5–7.5% APR, no KYC, custody unresolved (reportedly custodial as of Nov 2025)
- YouHodler: daily-fee model, custodial, loan-form LTV
Medium Loans ($5,000–$50,000)
Good fits: Lava, Ledn, Figure
- Lava: Lowest rate if you're comfortable with smart contract risk
- Ledn: Lower-friction custodial fit with Open Book reporting
- Figure: 8.91% base rate / 9.999% effective APR
Large Loans ($50,000–$250,000)
Good fits: Ledn, Arch, Unchained
- Ledn: 10.99% at this tier, transparent, with Open Book reporting
- Arch: Institutional custody (Anchorage), flexible line of credit
- Unchained: Multi-sig custody, but higher effective APR
Very Large Loans ($250,000+)
Good fits: Ledn, Unchained
- Ledn: Rates drop to 10.99% (K+), 10.49% (K+), and 9.99% (M+)
- Unchained: Premium multi-sig service for large positions
What Affects Your Rate
- Loan-to-value ratio: Higher LTV = higher risk = higher rate
- Loan term: Shorter terms often have lower rates
- Loyalty programs: Nexo and Arch offer tiered pricing based on token holdings or loan history
- Product structure: Straightforward BTC-only lenders may price differently from token-gated or revolving-credit products
Rate Alerts
BTC lending rates change frequently as platforms adjust pricing. Sign up for rate alerts to get notified when a lender changes their rates.
Compare reviewed BTC loan terms
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