Bitcoin Loan & Collateral Calculator
Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling it. Calculate LTV ratios, liquidation prices, and compare the cost of borrowing vs. selling.
Ready to Calculate
Enter your Bitcoin collateral and loan details to see LTV analysis, liquidation prices, and a borrow-vs-sell comparison
Bitcoin Loan Platform Comparison
Dated April 2026. Treat this as a planning table, not a live rate sheet: lender terms, regions, rates, and custody arrangements change often.
| Platform/model | Custody model | Typical LTV | Margin call / liquidation | Rate notes | Best fit / key risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledn | Centralized custody; BTC held with institutional custodians | Up to 50% commonly advertised | Margin call and liquidation thresholds depend on the active loan agreement | Rates and availability vary by jurisdiction; verify current terms before applying | Borrowers who want a known CeFi lender and accept third-party custody risk |
| Unchained | Collaborative custody model with multisig structure | Often lower-LTV, conservative structures | Designed around overcollateralization; exact thresholds depend on product terms | Availability can be limited and underwriting may be stricter than generic CeFi | Borrowers who value custody transparency and lower operational risk |
| Nexo | Centralized platform custody; terms vary by region and account status | Flexible LTV ranges when available | Automated collateral health monitoring and liquidation rules | Product availability, rates, and eligible regions change frequently | Users comparing flexible CeFi credit lines, with careful counterparty review |
| Generic CeFi lender | Usually full lender custody or third-party custodian custody | 25%–60% depending on risk appetite | Higher LTV means margin calls arrive faster during drawdowns | Use this fallback when live lender rates are unstable or unavailable | Early planning before checking exact lender disclosures |
LTV, margin calls, and liquidation explained
LTV is loan value divided by Bitcoin collateral value. If you borrow $50,000 against $100,000 of BTC, your starting LTV is 50%. If BTC falls, the collateral value shrinks and LTV rises. A margin call asks you to add BTC or repay part of the loan; liquidation means the lender sells collateral to reduce risk.
50% BTC drawdown example
A $50,000 loan against 1 BTC at $100,000 starts at 50% LTV. If Bitcoin drops to $50,000, the same loan becomes 100% LTV before interest or fees. That move can trigger urgent collateral requests or liquidation, even if the loan looked conservative at entry.
Bitcoin Loan & Collateral Calculator
Borrow against your Bitcoin without selling. Understand LTV ratios, liquidation risk, and tax advantages.
-
01
Enter Your Bitcoin Collateral
Enter the BTC you want to use as collateral. Auto-fill the live price or set a custom price for scenario planning.
-
02
Choose a Platform Preset
Select Conservative (50% LTV), Standard (60%), or Aggressive (75%) — or use custom settings.
-
03
Configure Loan Terms
Set your desired loan amount, annual interest rate (1–25% APR), and loan term (3–60 months).
-
04
Review Liquidation Risk
View your exact liquidation price, margin call price, and health factor.
-
05
Compare Borrow vs. Sell
Compare loan interest against capital gains tax from selling — which is more tax-efficient?
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Methodology
Loan-to-Value (LTV) is computed as principal ÷ (Bitcoin collateral × live BTC price). The liquidation price is solved as principal ÷ (collateral × liquidation LTV), where liquidation LTV is set by the lender (typically 80–90%). Margin call price is computed at the warning LTV (typically 70%). Total interest is calculated on the principal using the lender's stated APR over the loan term, with monthly compounding. Live Bitcoin price comes from CoinGecko.
- Aave V3 Risk Parameters — Aave Protocol
- CFPB — Crypto-collateralized lending consumer guidance — U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Bitcoin live spot price — CoinGecko
Disclaimer: Bitcoin-collateralized loans carry liquidation risk. A sharp price drop can trigger forced sale of your collateral. This calculator does not account for borrower KYC, regional availability, or counterparty risk. Always read the lender's full terms.
Sponsored
Learn More
Bitcoin Leverage Trading Risks
Understand liquidation, collateral, and why borrowing against BTC requires careful risk management
Explore More Bitcoin Calculators
Continue your analysis with these related professional-grade Bitcoin investment tools
Leverage & Liquidation
Calculate liquidation prices for leveraged Bitcoin positions
Capital Gains Tax
Estimate potential capital gains tax owed on Bitcoin sales
Inheritance & Estate Tax
Calculate federal estate tax on Bitcoin holdings with exemption thresholds and state-level analysis
Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational and estimation purposes only. Bitcoin-backed loan terms, interest rates, and liquidation thresholds vary by platform and change frequently. Borrowing against Bitcoin carries significant risk including total loss of collateral. Always review specific platform terms and consult a financial advisor before taking a Bitcoin-backed loan.