Arch vs SALT
Two of the lowest rates in the market, decided by custody model and margin-call handling.
By Steven Han and Michael Song · Rates as of September 12, 2026 · Verified daily · Rates last changed June 15, 2026
SALT$114,359 loan, 40.8% LTV · Max LTV 70%
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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.
SALT costs $1,990 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 SALT a lender-held pool.
Full side-by-side on 17 terms below, including custody, rehypothecation and the margin-call cure window.
The bottom line
Both start near 7.25% to 7.49%, so the rate is close. Arch holds collateral with Anchorage, a qualified custodian, charges a 1.49% origination and 2% liquidation fee, and offers the loan two ways: a monthly-payment tier from around 7.25%, or a deferred-interest tier from around 8.0% where you skip the monthly payment and interest capitalizes. SALT holds collateral in its own pool, charges no origination fee, and offers 1, 3, and 5-year terms; rather than a traditional liquidation, it stabilizes an uncured margin call by converting your bitcoin to USDC (a 3% fee, plus 2% to convert back), which keeps the loan open but locks in a downturn price. Choose Arch for independent custody or the deferred structure; choose SALT for long fixed terms and no origination fee.
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 SALT, side by side
 Arch | SALT | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective APR$114,359 loan, 40.8% LTV, all-in | 10.49% | 8.75% |
| Starting APR | 7.25% | 7.49% |
| Origination fee | 1.49% | None |
| Liquidation fee | 2% | None stated |
| Rate type | Fixed | Fixed |
| Max LTV | 60% | 70% |
| Liquidation thresholdLTV at which collateral is sold | 80% | 90.91% |
| Custody model | Qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital) | Lender-held |
| Rehypothecation | No | No |
| Margin-call cure window | 24 hours | 48 hours |
| Funding speed | Same day to 1 day | 1–2 days |
| Minimum loan | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Maximum loan | No stated maximum | No stated maximum |
| Loan terms | 1 to 12 months; interest-only; rollover available at maturity | 1, 3, or 5 years; rates increase with term length; 70% LTV available on 1-year only |
| Prepayment | No prepayment penalty | No prepayment penalty and no late fees. |
| Operating since | 2023 | 2016 |
| Availability | 39 states (excludes 11) | 47 states (excludes 3) |
| Learn more | Learn more |
Rates and fees
On a $114,359 at 40.8% LTV loan, SALT is the cheaper borrow: an all-in effective APR of about 8.75% versus 10.49% at Arch, a gap of roughly 1.74 points before fees. SALT 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 SALT uses lender-held. Neither rehypothecates collateral.
Loan terms and flexibility
Arch offers 1 to 12 months; interest-only; rollover available at maturity; SALT offers 1, 3, or 5 years; rates increase with term length; 70% ltv available on 1-year only. On a margin call, Arch gives a 24-hour cure window and SALT gives a 48-hour cure window, the time you have to add collateral or repay before a forced sale. Neither penalizes early repayment.
Leverage, limits, and speed
SALT allows the higher maximum LTV (70% vs 60%), so you can borrow more per Bitcoin, at the cost of a thinner buffer before a margin call if the price falls. Funding runs same day to 1 day at Arch and 1–2 days at SALT.
Track record and availability
SALT has the longer history, operating since 2016 versus 2023. On availability, Arch is not available in 11 states, while SALT excludes 3.
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
SALT
- Operating since 2016
- Up to 70% LTV, the highest among general loans on this list
- APR tiered by LTV (9.95% / 10.95% / 14.45%)
- International availability: Australia, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, Switzerland, UK, UAE, Vietnam
- Lender-held custody, not a third-party qualified custodian
- If a margin call goes uncured, Salt stabilizes the loan (converts collateral to USDC, a 3% fee, with a 2% fee to convert back later) rather than running a traditional liquidation, so you keep the loan and choose how to proceed; the cost is that stabilization locks in a downturn price
- SALT Shield (a paid downside-protection add-on) can forbear margin calls and market-triggered stabilization for the life of the loan
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.
SALT
Operating since 2016. APR tiered by LTV: 7.49% at 30% LTV, 8.75% at 50%, 10.50% at 70%. No origination fee. Loan agreement states it does not rehypothecate (no third-party lending of collateral).
Frequently asked
Is Arch or SALT cheaper?
On a $114,359 at 40.8% LTV loan, SALT is cheaper, with an all-in effective APR of about 8.75% versus 10.49%. SALT also charges no origination fee, while Arch adds 1.49% up front.
Which has lower custody risk, Arch or SALT?
Arch uses qualified custodian and SALT uses lender-held. Neither rehypothecates pledged collateral.
Can I borrow more with Arch or SALT?
SALT allows the higher maximum LTV (70% versus 60%), 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.