Arch (Deferred) vs Strike
Deferred interest with independent custody against the lower in-app rate.
Rates as of June 2026 · Verified weekly · By Michael Song
Arch (Deferred)$100k loan, 50% LTV · Max LTV 60%
Strike$100k loan, 50% LTV · Max LTV 50%
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The bottom line
Arch (Deferred) lets you make no monthly payments while interest capitalizes, with Anchorage qualified custody, at around 8.0% plus a 1.49% origination and 2% liquidation fee. Strike is cheaper (around 7.49%) with no origination or liquidation fee and lending built into its app, but holds collateral in its own pool. Choose Arch for independent custody and deferred payments; choose Strike for the lower rate and no fees.
Conditional guidance, not a recommendation. The right pick depends on your loan size, LTV, state, and what you value most. Rates can change; the table below is the live source.
Arch (Deferred) vs Strike, side by side
| Arch (Deferred) | Strike | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective APR$100k loan, 50% LTV, all-in | 10.99% | 11.02% |
| Starting APR | 8% | 7.49% |
| Origination fee | 1.49% | None |
| Liquidation fee | 2% | None |
| Max LTV | 60% | 50% |
| Custody model | Qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital) | Lender-held |
| Rehypothecation | No | No |
| Margin-call cure window | 24 hours | 72 hours |
| Funding speed | Same day to 1 day | Same day to 1 day |
| Minimum loan | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Maximum loan | No stated maximum | $5,000,000 |
| Loan terms | 1 to 12 months; deferred interest; settle at maturity or roll accrued interest into a new loan's principal | 12-month fixed-term loan. Separate line-of-credit product also available (revolving, no maturity date). |
| Prepayment | No prepayment penalty. Accrued interest can be settled at any time without penalty. | No prepayment penalty. Full closure permitted after 61 days. Cash repayments free; BTC collateral repayment incurs 0.79% processing fee (state-dependent). |
| Operating since | 2023 | 2017 |
| Availability | 39 states (excludes 11) | All 50 states |
Rates and fees
On a $100,000 loan at 50% LTV, Arch (Deferred) is the cheaper borrow: an all-in effective APR of about 10.99% versus 11.02% at Strike, a gap of roughly 0.03 points before fees. Strike charges no origination fee; Arch (Deferred) adds 1.49% up front, which matters most on shorter terms. If a position is liquidated, Strike charges the smaller penalty (0% vs 2%).
Custody and counterparty risk
Arch (Deferred) holds collateral via qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital), while Strike uses lender-held. Neither rehypothecates collateral.
Loan terms and flexibility
Arch (Deferred) offers 1 to 12 months; deferred interest; settle at maturity or roll accrued interest into a new loan's principal; Strike offers 12-month fixed-term loan. separate line-of-credit product also available (revolving, no maturity date).. Arch (Deferred) can run with no monthly payments, with interest deferring and capitalizing to the balance, while Strike expects you to service interest along the way. On a margin call, Arch (Deferred) gives a 24-hour cure window and Strike gives a 72-hour cure window, the time you have to add collateral or repay before a forced sale. Neither penalizes early repayment.
Leverage, limits, and speed
Arch (Deferred) allows the higher maximum LTV (60% vs 50%), so you can borrow more per Bitcoin, at the cost of a thinner buffer before a margin call if the price falls. Minimums differ: $5,000 at Arch (Deferred) versus $10,000 at Strike.
Track record and availability
Strike has the longer history, operating since 2017 versus 2023. On availability, Arch (Deferred) is not available in 11 states, while Strike covers all 50 states.
Strengths and trade-offs
Arch (Deferred)
- No monthly payments, interest accrues to maturity
- Option to roll accrued interest into a new loan's principal at renewal
- Anchorage Digital qualified custody
- $100M Lloyd's of London insurance
- Zero rehypothecation, explicit policy
- Carries a ~50 bps APR premium over the Monthly Payment tier; the deferral has a price
- 1.49% origination fee plus 2.00% liquidation fee (origination tiers down at higher loan sizes)
- Not available in 11 states: CA, DE, HI, MS, MT, NV, ND, RI, SC, TX, VT
Strike
- No origination fee
- Proof-of-reserves for collateral
- $2.1B credit facility with Tether (2026)
- Volatility-proof loan structure (announced 2026)
- Bitcoin-only
- Collateral held by Strike or capital partners, not a named third-party qualified custodian
- Limited consumer state coverage (21 states as of March 2026)
- Lending product launched 2024
About each lender
Arch (Deferred)
Bitcoin-backed loan with Anchorage Digital qualified custody, segregated wallets, $100M Lloyd's of London insurance, and explicit no-rehypothecation policy. The Deferred Interest variant (launched May 2026) carries no monthly payments, interest accrues to maturity or rolls into the next loan.
Strike
Bitcoin-only loans with no origination fee. Collateral held by Strike or capital partners in segregated wallets, no named third-party qualified custodian. Proof-of-reserves published. $2.1B credit facility with Tether.
Frequently asked
Is Arch (Deferred) or Strike cheaper?
On a $100,000 loan at 50% LTV, Arch (Deferred) is cheaper, with an all-in effective APR of about 10.99% versus 11.02%. Strike also charges no origination fee, while Arch (Deferred) adds 1.49% up front.
Which has lower custody risk, Arch (Deferred) or Strike?
Arch (Deferred) uses qualified custodian and Strike uses lender-held. Neither rehypothecates pledged collateral.
Can I borrow more with Arch (Deferred) or Strike?
Arch (Deferred) allows the higher maximum LTV (60% versus 50%), so you can borrow more per Bitcoin pledged. The trade-off is a thinner buffer before a margin call if Bitcoin's price drops.
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borrowonbitcoin.com is a comparison publisher, not a lender or financial advisor. Rate data verified June 9, 2026. How we verify rates · Full disclosures.