Top picks by use case
Lower-risk tier, no origination fee, fixed 12-month terms from ~9.5% APR, segregated custody, native BTC. A clean, cost-effective default if you're borrowing $10K+.
Around 3–4% variable — far below any centralized lender. The catch: you must wrap BTC (WBTC/cbBTC), adding smart-contract risk and a possible taxable event.
Collaborative 2-of-3 multisig — your Bitcoin can't be rehypothecated or moved without your signature. Pricier (~14–16%) and ~$150K minimum, but the strongest custody model.
A regulated bank with the lowest maximum LTV here (40%), which means the biggest buffer before liquidation. Native BTC, no fee, lower-risk tier.
Borrow from just $50, open-ended term, no origination fee. Base-tier rate ~18.9% (lower only if you hold NEXO tokens). Broad custodial platform, medium risk.
Bitcoin-focused, publishes bi-annual proof-of-reserves and states a no-rehypothecation model. From $1K, lower-risk tier; ~2% admin fee and 9.25–11.5% APR.
Terms of 1–5 years, up to 70% LTV, no origination fee and a low headline rate. Medium risk with a regulatory history worth checking for your state.
Advertises LTVs up to 90% on short daily-fee terms (~20%/yr). Our only high-risk-tier lender — a very high LTV means liquidation on a small price drop.
Quick-reference table
| Best for | Lender | Headline rate | Max LTV | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-round | Strike | from ~9.5% | 50% | Lower |
| Lowest rate | Compound / Aave (DeFi) | ~3–4% var | 73% | Medium |
| Keep your keys | Unchained | ~14–16% | 50% | Lower |
| Most conservative | Xapo Bank | ~10.5% var | 40% | Lower |
| Smallest minimum | Nexo | ~18.9% Base | 50% | Medium |
| Transparency | Ledn | 9.25–11.5% | 50% | Lower |
| Flexible term | SALT | 7.49–10.5% | 70% | Medium |
Figures reflect each lender's published terms as of the date above; DeFi rates are variable. Always confirm at the source before borrowing — see full data, liquidation levels and source links in the comparison table.
How we picked
These picks come from the same public methodology we use across the site: we compare each lender's rate, maximum LTV, liquidation level, custody model, fees and track record against their own published terms, and re-verify regularly. Risk tiers (Lower / Medium / Higher) are relative editorial judgements about counterparty and collateral risk — not a safety guarantee or a rating of solvency. We hold no affiliate relationships and no lender paid to appear or rank here.
FAQ
What's the best Bitcoin-backed loan in 2026?
It depends on your priority. Strike is a strong all-round low-risk pick; DeFi (Compound/Aave) is cheapest; Unchained is best for keeping your keys; Xapo Bank is the most conservative. Match the lender to what you care about most.
Which has the lowest interest rate?
DeFi — Compound and Aave at roughly 3–4% variable — but you must wrap BTC, which adds smart-contract risk and can be taxable. Among CeFi lenders, SALT and Arch publish rates from around 7.25–7.5%.
What's the safest option?
Our lower-risk tier includes Strike, Ledn, Unchained and Xapo Bank. Xapo Bank is the most conservative on paper (40% max LTV, regulated bank); Unchained lets you keep a key. Borrowing well below the maximum LTV matters as much as the lender.
Do any of these take my actual Bitcoin?
The CeFi lenders here take native BTC as collateral. The DeFi options (Compound, Aave, Coinbase, Morpho) require wrapped Bitcoin, which can be a taxable disposal — see our tax guide.
Compare every lender for your exact situation
Rate, LTV, liquidation level, custody and fees for all 16 lenders — independently verified, with a source link on every row and live DeFi rates.
Open the comparison →