How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Coinbase suits most US borrowers, with about 5% APR, about 75% LTV at origination, and over $1 billion in bitcoin-backed loan originations.
- Ledn suits bitcoin-backed loans, with 9.25% APR at $2 million and above and 11.49% APR under $250,000, a 50% LTV, and full custody with no rehypothecation.
- Nexo suits flexible credit lines, relaunched in the US in February 2026, with rates from 1.9% per year and up to 90% LTV on stablecoins.
- Crypto risk warning: this is not financial advice. Crypto prices are volatile, liquidation risk is real, and collateral loss risk is real. If collateral falls below the liquidation threshold, your collateral can be sold automatically, and you can lose part or all of it. The 2022 lender bankruptcies turned into total losses for some customers. Never borrow against crypto you cannot afford to lose, and never borrow to buy more crypto on margin unless you fully understand liquidation.
- Rates below are snapshots from 2026 comparisons, not guaranteed offers. DeFi rates move constantly, and centralized-platform pricing depends on collateral, loan size, loyalty tier, promotions, and jurisdiction, so verify the figure in the app before you borrow.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Coinbase | Most US borrowers | About 5% APR | Not applicable |
 Ledn | Bitcoin-backed loans | 9.25% APR | Not applicable |
 Nexo | Flexible credit lines | 1.9% per year | Not applicable |
 Arch Lending | Security and trust | 7.25% APR | Not applicable |
 Crypto.com | Integrated ecosystem | About 6% APR | Not applicable |
 Unchained | Business bitcoin loans | 14.18% APR | Not applicable |
 Aave | DeFi borrowing | Variable | Not applicable |
 Compound | DeFi money markets | Variable | Not applicable |
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Starting priceAbout 5% APR
Free planNot applicable
Coinbase is the most US borrowers pick, letting you borrow USDC against your crypto through Morpho, an onchain lending protocol, without leaving the Coinbase app, with about 5% APR, about 75% LTV at origination, and liquidation at 86%. It is the crypto loan product the largest number of US borrowers can actually open today, and Coinbase has passed $1 billion in bitcoin-backed loan originations, though it is not available in New York and no minimum loan size is published.
The trade off is convenience against liquidation buffer. Coinbase is the easiest US option to open, but a 75% starting LTV with liquidation at 86% leaves a thin buffer in a volatile market. Coinbase fits US borrowers who want the simplest path to a crypto-backed loan.
What we like- Best for most US borrowers
- Borrow USDC against crypto through Morpho without leaving the Coinbase app
- Over $1 billion in bitcoin-backed loan originations
- Available in the US except New York
- No published minimum loan size
Watch out for- About 75% LTV at origination with liquidation at 86%, so the buffer is thin
- USDC borrowing only in this product
- Availability excludes New York
- Rates can change
Starting price9.25% APR
Free planNot applicable
Ledn is the bitcoin-backed loans pick, a bitcoin-native lender that has processed more than $1 billion in loans, with every loan fully custodied and no lending of client collateral out to third parties, which removes the rehypothecation risk that turned the 2022 lender bankruptcies into total losses for customers. Its APR is 9.25% at $2 million and above and 11.49% under $250,000, with a 50% LTV, a $500 minimum, and a 2% origination fee waived for Canada and the US per Ledn.
The trade off is custody safety against rate. Ledn costs more than headline rivals, but its full custody model removes a risk that destroyed other lenders. Ledn fits bitcoin holders who prioritize custody safety over the lowest rate.
What we like- Bitcoin-native lender with over $1 billion in loans processed
- Every loan fully custodied with no lending of client collateral to third parties, removing rehypothecation risk
- Transparent published APR
- $500 minimum
- Available in the US state by state and in Canada
Watch out for- 9.25% APR at $2 million and above, 11.49% APR under $250,000, higher than Coinbase or Nexo headline rates
- 50% LTV only
- 2% origination fee, waived for Canada and the US per Ledn
- BTC and USDC focus only
Starting price1.9% per year
Free planNot applicable
Nexo is the flexible credit lines pick, offering a revolving credit line rather than a fixed-term loan, so you draw only what you need and pay interest only on that, with rates from 1.9% per year, up to 90% LTV on stablecoins and about 50% on BTC and ETH, and a $50 minimum. It returned to the United States on 16 February 2026, with Bakkt providing the regulated trading infrastructure, three years after a $45 million SEC settlement and its exit from the US market.
The trade off is flexibility against rate complexity. Nexo offers the most flexible drawdown model, but its real rate depends on loyalty tier, LTV, and jurisdiction, spanning 1.9% to 17.9% in one comparison. Nexo fits borrowers who want a flexible credit line and will check their tier rate.
What we like- Revolving credit line, so you draw only what you need and pay interest only on that
- Rates from 1.9% per year
- Up to 90% LTV on stablecoins, about 50% on BTC and ETH
- $50 minimum
- Returned to the US on 16 February 2026 with Bakkt providing regulated trading infrastructure
- 100-plus assets supported
Watch out for- Broader rate range of 1.9% to 17.9% depending on circumstances in one comparison
- Lowest rates require loyalty tiers and NEXO token holdings
- Three years after a $45 million SEC settlement and its exit from the US market, so check current US eligibility
- Rates depend on loyalty tier, LTV, and jurisdiction
Starting price7.25% APR
Free planNot applicable
Arch Lending is the security and trust pick, with a 7.25% APR, a 60% LTV, and a $5,000 minimum for BTC, ETH, and SOL, available in the US except 10 states for individuals. It suits borrowers who want a clear published rate and a security-focused lender, though its minimum excludes small borrowers.
The trade off is clarity against minimum size. Arch offers a clear rate and a security focus, but its $5,000 minimum and state exclusions narrow who can use it. Arch fits larger US borrowers who want a published rate and a trust-focused lender.
What we like- Security and trust focus
- 7.25% APR
- 60% LTV
- Available in the US except 10 states for individuals
- Clear published rate
- Bitcoin, ether, and solana collateral
Watch out for- $5,000 minimum for BTC, ETH, and SOL
- Excludes 10 states for individuals, so check eligibility
- Higher rate than Nexo headline
- Narrower asset range than Nexo or Coinbase
Starting priceAbout 6% APR
Free planNot applicable
Crypto.com is the integrated ecosystem pick, offering loans within its exchange ecosystem at about 6% APR at 33% LTV and up to 50% LTV, which suits users who already hold crypto on Crypto.com and want borrowing in the same app. Its loan product does not publish a public eligibility list, so check whether it is open to you before planning around it, and availability varies by region.
The trade off is ecosystem convenience against eligibility clarity. Crypto.com is convenient inside its ecosystem, but its loan eligibility is less transparent than rivals. Crypto.com fits existing Crypto.com users who want in-app borrowing.
What we like- Integrated exchange ecosystem
- About 6% APR at 33% LTV
- Up to 50% LTV
- Wide asset support
- Convenient if you already hold crypto on Crypto.com
Watch out for- Does not publish a public eligibility list for its loan product, so check whether it is open to you before planning around it
- Availability varies by region
- Rate at higher LTVs less clearly published
- Exchange custody risk applies
Starting price14.18% APR
Free planNot applicable
Unchained is the business bitcoin loans pick, offering collaborative custody for US businesses, with 14.18% APR on 12% interest, about 50% LTV with 200% collateral, and a $150,000 minimum. It suits US businesses that want bitcoin-backed loans with a collaborative custody design, though its minimum and rate exclude most retail borrowers.
The trade off is custody design against cost and size. Unchained offers strong custody design for businesses, but its $150,000 minimum and 14.18% APR are the steepest here. Unchained fits US businesses with large bitcoin holdings.
What we like- Collaborative custody model
- Bitcoin-focused
- US businesses served
- 12% interest with 14.18% APR
- About 50% LTV with 200% collateral
- Strong security and custody design
Watch out for- $150,000 minimum, far above retail platforms
- Not available in every state
- Business focus, not retail
- Highest headline APR here
- 14.18% APR reflects fees on top of 12% interest
Starting priceVariable
Free planNot applicable
Aave is the DeFi borrowing pick, a permissionless protocol where anyone with a wallet can borrow wherever they live, with no platform minimum and variable rates around 0.35% to 4.3% in a mid-2026 comparison. It offers broad asset support across Ethereum and layer 2 networks, and since loans are onchain, no company holds your collateral, but there is also no customer support and nobody to call when a position moves against you.
The trade off is permissionless access against self-responsibility. Aave offers the lowest rates and no gatekeepers, but liquidation is automatic and you bear all technical and smart contract risk. Aave fits DeFi users comfortable managing their own positions.
What we like- Permissionless, so anyone with a wallet can use it wherever they live
- No platform minimum
- Variable rates around 0.35% to 4.3% in a mid-2026 comparison
- Broad asset support across Ethereum and layer 2 networks
- No custody by a company, since loans are onchain
Watch out for- No customer support and nobody to call when a position moves against you
- Variable rates move constantly
- Liquidation is automatic and onchain
- Smart contract risk applies
- Technical skill required
Starting priceVariable
Free planNot applicable
Compound is the DeFi money markets pick, offering permissionless decentralized money markets with no platform minimum and variable rates recently about 2% to 12% in one comparison and 2.7% to 3.4% in another, so check the specific market before borrowing. It is a long-running protocol with ERC-20 token support, but like Aave it offers no customer support, liquidation is automatic, and smart contract risk applies.
The trade off is protocol track record against self-management. Compound is a long-running, battle-tested protocol, but you manage liquidation risk yourself with no support line. Compound fits DeFi users who want a long-running money market protocol.
What we like- Permissionless decentralized money markets
- No platform minimum
- Variable rates recently about 2% to 12% in one comparison, and 2.7% to 3.4% in another
- Long-running protocol with a track record
- ERC-20 token support
Watch out for- No customer support
- Variable rates move constantly
- Liquidation is automatic
- Smart contract risk applies
- Technical skill required
- Rates vary by market, so check the specific market before borrowing
How we chose
We compared published rates, LTVs, minimums, and availability from 2026 comparisons, favoring platforms with distinct strengths: the best for most US borrowers, the best bitcoin-backed loans, the best flexible credit lines, the best security and trust, the best integrated ecosystem, the best business bitcoin loans, the best DeFi borrowing, and the best DeFi money markets. We recorded rates as snapshots and flagged conflicts, since DeFi rates move constantly and centralized rates depend on collateral, loan size, loyalty tier, and jurisdiction. We favored platforms with a current offering and an active borrower base, and we stressed liquidation and collateral loss risk throughout, since that risk decides whether a crypto loan is safe for you.
Start with custody: decide whether you will connect a wallet to a DeFi protocol or send assets to a company account, since that decides who holds your collateral and whether anyone can help if something goes wrong. Next, check LTV and liquidation: a 50% LTV gives a wide buffer, while a 90% LTV on stablecoins or a 75% starting LTV with liquidation at 86% leaves little room in a volatile market, so choose a buffer you can defend. Then check eligibility: US availability varies by state, Crypto.com does not publish a public eligibility list, Unchained excludes some states, and Nexo returned to the US only in February 2026, so confirm your state before applying. Finally, check the true rate: headline rates like 1.9% often require loyalty tiers or token holdings, while published APRs like Ledn 9.25% to 11.49% or Unchained 14.18% reflect the full cost, so compare APR, not headline rate, and verify the figure in the app before you borrow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best crypto loan platform?
Coinbase suits most US borrowers, Ledn suits bitcoin-backed loans with full custody, Nexo suits flexible credit lines, Arch Lending suits security-focused larger borrowers, and Aave and Compound suit DeFi users.
What is liquidation risk in crypto loans?
If your collateral value falls below the liquidation threshold, your collateral can be sold automatically to repay the loan, and you can lose part or all of it. Higher LTVs leave less buffer, so a 50% LTV is safer than a 90% LTV in volatile markets.
Can I lose my crypto on a crypto loan platform?
Yes. Collateral loss risk is real: liquidation can sell your collateral, and centralized lender failures in 2022 turned into total losses for some customers when collateral was lent out to third parties. Ledn removes rehypothecation risk by fully custodying loans, but market liquidation risk remains everywhere.
Are crypto loans available in the US?
Yes, but availability varies by state. Coinbase excludes New York, Ledn is state by state, Arch excludes 10 states for individuals, Nexo returned to the US in February 2026, and Crypto.com does not publish a public eligibility list, so check your state first.
What is the difference between CeFi and DeFi crypto loans?
CeFi loans run through a company that holds your collateral and offers support, while DeFi loans run onchain through a protocol with no company custody and no customer support, so you manage liquidation and smart contract risk yourself.
Is there an uncollateralized crypto loan for retail users?
No, not as of May 2026. Flash loans are uncollateralized but require repayment within seconds and technical expertise, while retail platforms all require crypto collateral deposits, identity checks, or both. Platforms claiming otherwise are hiding requirements or operating outside frameworks that protect retail users.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.