Arch vs Nexo
A low-rate qualified-custodian loan against a revolving line that re-lends your collateral.
By Steven Han and Michael Song · Rates as of September 12, 2026 · Verified daily · Rates last changed July 15, 2026
Arch$114,359 loan, 40.8% LTV · Max LTV 60%
Nexo$114,359 loan, 40.8% LTV · Max LTV 50%
Some “Visit” links are affiliate links. No lender can pay for placement, and this never changes which lenders we include or the data we show. The rates compared here are each lender's standard published effective APR. See disclosures.
What it costs over 12 months
Borrowing $114,359 at 40.8% LTV for one year. Interest and the origination fee, on standard published terms.
Arch costs $6,187 less over twelve months at this loan size, before any difference in how the two handle collateral.
The biggest structural difference is custody model: Arch a qualified custodian versus Nexo a lender-held pool.
Full side-by-side on 17 terms below, including custody, rehypothecation and the margin-call cure window.
The bottom line
Arch starts far below Nexo's near 18.9%, either on its monthly-payment tier from around 7.25% or its deferred-interest tier from around 8.0%, where you make no monthly payments and interest capitalizes to maturity. It holds collateral with Anchorage and does not rehypothecate, though it adds a 1.49% origination and 2% liquidation fee. Nexo is an open revolving credit line you can draw and repay at will, but it prices high and re-lends your pledged bitcoin. Choose Arch for the lower rate and untouched collateral; choose Nexo only if an always-open line is worth the rate and the rehypothecation.
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 vs Nexo, side by side
| Arch | Nexo | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective APR$114,359 loan, 40.8% LTV, all-in | 10.49% | 15.9% |
| Starting APR | 7.25% | 15.9% |
| Origination fee | 1.49% | None |
| Liquidation fee | 2% | None stated |
| Rate type | Fixed | Fixed |
| Max LTV | 60% | 50% |
| Liquidation thresholdLTV at which collateral is sold | 80% | 83.3% |
| Custody model | Qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital) | Lender-held |
| Rehypothecation | No | Yes |
| Margin-call cure window | 24 hours | Not published |
| Funding speed | Same day to 1 day | Same day |
| Minimum loan | $5,000 | $50 |
| Maximum loan | No stated maximum | $2,000,000 |
| Loan terms | 1 to 12 months; interest-only; rollover available at maturity | Not published |
| Prepayment | No prepayment penalty | Not published |
| Operating since | 2023 | 2018 |
| Availability | 39 states (excludes 11) | 48 states (excludes 2) |
| Learn more | Learn more |
Rates and fees
On a $114,359 at 40.8% LTV loan, Arch is the cheaper borrow: an all-in effective APR of about 10.49% versus 15.9% at Nexo, a gap of roughly 5.41 points before fees. Nexo charges no origination fee; Arch adds 1.49% up front, which matters most on shorter terms.
Custody and counterparty risk
Arch holds collateral via qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital), while Nexo uses lender-held. Nexo rehypothecates pledged Bitcoin (re-lends it); Arch does not, which means less exposure if the lender runs into trouble.
Leverage, limits, and speed
Arch 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 versus $50 at Nexo. Funding runs same day to 1 day at Arch and same day at Nexo.
Track record and availability
Nexo has the longer history, operating since 2018 versus 2023. On availability, Arch is not available in 11 states, while Nexo excludes 2.
Strengths and trade-offs
Arch
- Anchorage Digital qualified custody
- $100M Lloyd's of London insurance
- Zero rehypothecation, explicit policy
- Segregated wallets
- $75M raised (2024)
- 1.5% origination fee plus 2.5% liquidation fee
- Not available in CA, DE, MS, MT, NV, ND, RI, VT
- Company founded 2023
Nexo
- Relaunched in the US in February 2026 via Bakkt after a 2022 exit
- One of the largest crypto lending platforms globally; Nexo reports 7M+ clients across 200+ jurisdictions since 2018
- Rates from 1.9% to 15.9% APR depending on NEXO token holdings and LTV
- 50% LTV on BTC, $50 to $2M, up to $200M for Nexo Private clients, no origination or monthly fees
- Partial liquidation model: rather than closing your full position if collateral value drops, Nexo repays part of the credit line from a portion of the collateral, keeping the rest of your position intact
- The 1.9% floor rate applies at qualifying NEXO token tiers and LTV; borrowers without NEXO holdings should expect a rate closer to 15.9%
- Not available to residents of New York or Washington. Nexo confirmed on 2026-08-03 that those two states are restricted and the credit line is otherwise available
- Borrowing against crypto is generally treated differently than selling it for tax purposes, but tax treatment depends on your individual situation and jurisdiction. This is not tax advice, so confirm with a tax professional before relying on it
About each lender
Arch
Bitcoin-backed loan with Anchorage Digital qualified custody, segregated wallets, $100M Lloyd's of London insurance, and explicit no-rehypothecation policy. Multi-collateral: BTC, ETH, SOL.
Nexo
Nexo offers crypto-backed credit lines, letting you borrow against Bitcoin and over 100 other digital assets without selling, which generally avoids realizing a capital gain. It relaunched in the US in February 2026 in partnership with Bakkt as a regulated entity. Rates run from 1.9% to 15.9% APR and depend on your Wealth Club tier: the higher your NEXO token share and the lower your loan-to-value, the closer you get to the 1.9% floor. A borrower holding no NEXO tokens sits at the 15.9% end.
Frequently asked
Is Arch or Nexo cheaper?
On a $114,359 at 40.8% LTV loan, Arch is cheaper, with an all-in effective APR of about 10.49% versus 15.9%. Nexo also charges no origination fee, while Arch adds 1.49% up front.
Which has lower custody risk, Arch or Nexo?
Arch uses qualified custodian and Nexo uses lender-held. Check the rehypothecation row above, as re-lending of collateral adds counterparty risk.
Can I borrow more with Arch or Nexo?
Arch 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 September 12, 2026. How we verify rates · Full disclosures.