SALT vs Arch (Standard)
Two of the lowest rates in the market, decided by custody model and margin-call handling.
Rates as of June 2026 · Verified weekly · By Michael Song
SALT$100k loan, 50% LTV · Max LTV 70%
Arch (Standard)$100k loan, 50% LTV · Max LTV 60%
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The bottom line
Both start near 7.25% to 7.49%, so the rate is close. Arch (Standard) holds collateral with Anchorage, a qualified custodian, and charges a 2% liquidation fee. 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; choose SALT for long fixed terms.
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.
SALT vs Arch (Standard), side by side
| SALT | Arch (Standard) | |
|---|---|---|
| Effective APR$100k loan, 50% LTV, all-in | 8.75% | 10.49% |
| Starting APR | 7.49% | 7.25% |
| Origination fee | None | 1.49% |
| Liquidation fee | None stated | 2% |
| Max LTV | 70% | 60% |
| Custody model | Lender-held | Qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital) |
| Rehypothecation | No | No |
| Margin-call cure window | 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Funding speed | 1–2 days | Same day to 1 day |
| Minimum loan | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Maximum loan | No stated maximum | No stated maximum |
| Loan terms | 1, 3, or 5 years; rates increase with term length; 70% LTV available on 1-year only | 1 to 12 months; interest-only; rollover available at maturity |
| Prepayment | No prepayment penalty and no late fees. | No prepayment penalty |
| Operating since | 2016 | 2023 |
| Availability | All 50 states | 39 states (excludes 11) |
Rates and fees
On a $100,000 loan at 50% LTV, SALT is the cheaper borrow: an all-in effective APR of about 8.75% versus 10.49% at Arch (Standard), a gap of roughly 1.74 points before fees. SALT charges no origination fee, while Arch (Standard) adds 1.49% up front, which raises Arch (Standard)'s true cost on shorter loans.
Custody and counterparty risk
SALT holds collateral via lender-held, while Arch (Standard) uses qualified custodian (Anchorage Digital). Neither rehypothecates collateral.
Loan terms and flexibility
SALT offers 1, 3, or 5 years; rates increase with term length; 70% ltv available on 1-year only; Arch (Standard) offers 1 to 12 months; interest-only; rollover available at maturity. On a margin call, SALT gives a 48-hour cure window and Arch (Standard) gives a 24-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 1–2 days at SALT and same day to 1 day at Arch (Standard).
Track record and availability
SALT has the longer history, operating since 2016 versus 2023. On availability, SALT covers all 50 states, while Arch (Standard) excludes 11.
Strengths and trade-offs
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
Arch (Standard)
- 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
About each lender
SALT
Operating since 2016. APR tiered by LTV: 9.95% at 30% LTV, 10.95% at 50%, 14.45% at 70%. Loan agreement states it does not rehypothecate (no third-party lending of collateral). California DFPI consent order in 2024; SEC fined in 2020 for unregistered ICO; paused withdrawals Nov 2022.
Arch (Standard)
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.
Frequently asked
Is SALT or Arch (Standard) cheaper?
On a $100,000 loan at 50% LTV, SALT is cheaper, with an all-in effective APR of about 8.75% versus 10.49%. SALT also charges no origination fee, while Arch (Standard) adds 1.49% up front.
Which has lower custody risk, SALT or Arch (Standard)?
SALT uses lender-held and Arch (Standard) uses qualified custodian. Neither rehypothecates pledged collateral.
Can I borrow more with SALT or Arch (Standard)?
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 June 12, 2026. How we verify rates · Full disclosures.