Back to blogGuide

Which coins can I borrow against and earn on?

17 October 2024 6 min read

Not every coin can be used for every product. This overview shows which assets you can pledge as loan collateral at Trade Lend, which assets a loan is paid out in, and which coins are eligible for the Earn program — with the relevant rates and a clear guide to choosing.

Key takeaways

  • As collateral for a crypto loan: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC.
  • Loan payout: USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH — you repay in the same asset.
  • Earn-eligible coins: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC — interest paid daily in the same coin.
  • The loan value is tracked in US dollars throughout; the coins’ price risk remains.

Quick overview

At Trade Lend, coins play three roles: as collateral for a crypto loan, as the payout asset of a loan, and as a deposit in the Earn program. The table below summarizes which coin can be used for what.

CoinAs collateralAs payoutIn Earn
BTCYesYesYes
ETHYesYesYes
SOLYesYes
XRPYesYes
BNBYesYes
LTCYesYes
USDTYes
USDCYes
The payout is in USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH. The loan value is always tracked in US dollars.

Coins as loan collateral

For a crypto loan you pledge one of six coins as collateral: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB or LTC. The coin stays pledged while the loan runs; it is not sold. The loan value itself is tracked in US dollars, regardless of which coin you bring.

How much you can borrow against a coin depends on the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). Less volatile assets such as Bitcoin allow a higher ratio than more volatile coins. You will find the details below and in depth in the LTV guide.

Coins for the payout

A loan is paid out in USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH — you choose the asset that fits your plans. You always repay in the same asset the loan was paid out in. The outstanding balance is tracked in US dollars; your loan status page shows the equivalent amount in the loan asset.

Stablecoin or crypto as payout?

USDT and USDC are pegged to the US dollar and suit you if you want a stable payout value. BTC and ETH make sense if you already think in those assets. Either way, the tracked loan value stays the same US dollar amount.

Coins for the Earn program

In the Earn program you earn interest on coins you hold. Earn-eligible coins include BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC. Interest is credited daily in the same coin and reinvested automatically, so compounding takes effect. Your coins remain yours and are withdrawable on request.

Earn planRateFeature
Flexible2.5% p.a. (variable)Available any time; the rate can change with the market.
Fixed3% p.a.Guaranteed for the first twelve months, then a fair market rate.
Both plans credit interest daily in the same coin and reinvest it automatically.

Price risk remains

The fixed plan guarantees a rate, not a coin value. The guaranteed 3% p.a. rate applies for the first twelve months; it secures the interest, not the price. The market value of your coins can still rise or fall.

Loan-to-value ratios in detail

With a crypto loan we work with clearly defined LTV levels. They show at all times where your loan stands. None of these levels triggers an automatic sale.

50% — standard
The usual ratio when taking out a loan, with a large safety buffer.
60% — warning zone
The buffer is getting smaller. A good moment to add collateral or repay part of the loan.
70% — high risk / maximum
The highest ratio at origination, for example up to 70% for Bitcoin. Little room for further price drops.

If your LTV rises, you are not caught by surprise. Around 80 to 85% we proactively reach out to find a joint solution. A manual collateral action is considered only as a last resort — after a prolonged breach toward around 95%, and always only after communication.

Our approach to collateral

We never sell collateral quietly or automatically. We prioritize communication and provide multiple notifications before any manual collateral action is even considered.

Which coin fits which goal?

Which coin makes sense for you depends on your goal. These questions help you place it:

  • I need liquidity and hold BTC or ETH. Both work as collateral and as a payout asset — a direct route to a loan.
  • I hold SOL, XRP, BNB or LTC. These coins serve as collateral; the payout is then in USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH.
  • My coins are just sitting idle. Then the Earn program can turn them into an ongoing return — BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC are Earn-eligible.

You can combine both: earn interest on part of your coins and take out a loan against other coins when needed. One account covers both loans and Earn.

Model what your coins make possible with no obligation — in the loan calculator or the Earn calculator. For questions about individual coins, support is happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

We accept BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC as collateral. The loan value is tracked in US dollars throughout, regardless of which coin you pledge.

The payout is in USDT, USDC, BTC or ETH. You repay in the same asset the loan was paid out in. The outstanding balance is tracked in US dollars.

Earn-eligible coins include BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, BNB and LTC. Interest is credited daily in the same coin and reinvested automatically. The flexible plan offers 2.5% p.a. variable; the fixed plan offers 3% p.a., guaranteed for the first twelve months, then a fair market rate.

No. No coin and no product removes the price risk. The value of your coins can rise or fall at any time — with a loan via the loan-to-value ratio, and with Earn via the value of the balance you hold.

Ready to borrow against your coins?

Calculate your possible loan amount in seconds, or start your application directly — your coins stay yours.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice. Crypto loans carry risks, including price fluctuations of the collateral.

Which coins to borrow against and earn on? — Trade Lend