Side by side
| Nexo | YouHodler | |
|---|---|---|
| Headline cost | From ~1.9%* (≈18.9% Base tier) | ~0.055%/day (≈20% / yr) |
| Lowest rate requires | Holding NEXO tokens | n/a — flat daily fee |
| Max LTV | 50% | Up to 90% |
| Liquidation | ~83% LTV | Price-Down-Limit (auto) |
| Term | Open / flexible | 1–364 days (short) |
| Fees | No origination fee | Daily fee (0.055%/day) |
| Custody | Custodial (broad platform) | Fully custodial |
| Collateral | Native BTC (+ many assets) | Native BTC |
| Minimum loan | $50 | $100 |
| Our risk tier | Medium | Higher (our only High) |
*Nexo's "from 1.9%" is its top Platinum loyalty tier and requires holding 10%+ of your portfolio in NEXO tokens; borrowers with no NEXO holdings pay the Base tier (~18.9%). Figures reflect each lender's published terms as of the date above — always confirm at the source. See full data and source links in the comparison table.
Cost: Nexo is cheaper for most
Nexo markets rates "from 1.9%," but that requires holding 10%+ of your portfolio in its NEXO token (Platinum tier); the Base tier most borrowers without NEXO holdings pay is around 18.9%. YouHodler prices differently — a flat daily fee of about 0.055% of the borrowed amount, charged every day the loan is open regardless of term. Held for a full year that's roughly 20% annualized, though for a very short loan the absolute cost can be small. For typical borrowing, Nexo is still a little cheaper, but the gap has narrowed to roughly a point unless you're already deep in the NEXO ecosystem.
LTV & liquidation: the real divide
This is where the two separate most. Nexo caps Bitcoin loans at 50% LTV with liquidation around 83%, giving a meaningful buffer. YouHodler advertises LTVs up to 90% and uses a "Price-Down-Limit" auto-liquidation. A 90% LTV loan starts a hair away from liquidation — a modest Bitcoin dip can close it out and crystallize a loss. Higher LTV feels like more borrowing power, but it is the fastest route to liquidation. If you value staying in your position through volatility, Nexo's lower cap is a feature, not a limitation.
Safety & custody
Both are centralized and custodial, so you're trusting the platform to hold and return your Bitcoin. We rate Nexo medium-risk: a large, broad custodial platform. We rate YouHodler high-risk — our only lender in that tier — because of its very high LTVs, fully custodial model, limited public detail on rehypothecation and segregation, and short daily-fee structure. Neither rating is a solvency guarantee; both call for your own due diligence. If safety is your priority, see our safety-first, low-LTV picks instead.
Who each is best for
Choose Nexo if…
- You want a lower standard rate and an open-ended term
- You prefer a 50% LTV cap and a bigger liquidation buffer
- You value platform flexibility (tiny $50 minimum, many assets)
Consider YouHodler only if…
- You specifically need a very short-term loan and understand the daily fee
- You fully accept its high-risk tier and high-LTV liquidation danger
- You'll borrow well below the maximum and monitor closely
FAQ
Is Nexo or YouHodler cheaper?
Nexo, by a narrow margin, for most borrowers — its Base-tier rate is ~18.9% (lower only with NEXO tokens), while YouHodler's daily fee works out to roughly 20% a year if held that long. Short loans on YouHodler can cost less in absolute terms.
Is a 90% LTV loan a good idea?
Rarely. At 90% LTV a small Bitcoin drop can trigger liquidation. High LTV is the main driver of liquidation risk — borrow well below any maximum and model it with our calculator first.
Which is safer?
Nexo. We rate it medium-risk and YouHodler high-risk (our only High). Both are custodial; YouHodler's very high LTVs and thinner transparency put it in the top risk tier.
Do they take my actual Bitcoin?
Both use native BTC as collateral, not a wrapped token. The concerns are each platform's custody, rehypothecation policy and — with YouHodler — very high LTVs.
See how Nexo and YouHodler compare to everyone else
Rate, LTV, liquidation level, custody and risk for every lender we track — independently verified, with a source link on every row.
Open the comparison →