Borrowing Against Bitcoin: CeFi Platforms in North America
A Bitcoin Fortress Deep Dive
Borrowing against your Bitcoin allows you to access liquidity without selling your holdings, leveraging BTC as collateral. Below is a detailed analysis of prominent centralized finance (CeFi) platforms offering Bitcoin-backed loans in North America, ranked by security, reputation, loan terms, and availability.
Top CeFi Platforms for Borrowing Against Bitcoin
Non-Custodial vs. Custodial Borrowing
Custodial platforms (Ledn, Coinbase, Nexo, Crypto.com) manage your Bitcoin collateral, providing simplicity and ease of use but requiring full trust in platform solvency and security. They often provide insured custody, regulatory oversight, and user-friendly interfaces.
Non-Custodial platforms (Unchained Capital) allow you to retain control over your Bitcoin via multisignature setups. This significantly reduces counterparty risk, as collateral cannot be rehypothecated or lost due to the platform's insolvency. However, these solutions are often more complex and have higher interest rates.
Recommended Platform
Best Overall (Custodial): Ledn – Strong reputation, insured custody, transparent policies, and fair terms.
Best Security & Control (Non-custodial): Unchained Capital – Ideal for those prioritizing asset control and minimizing trust in third parties.
Conclusion
Choosing a platform depends on your risk tolerance, preference for convenience versus control, and jurisdictional availability. Ledn provides a balanced solution for most borrowers, while Unchained Capital is excellent for Bitcoin holders prioritizing self-custody and security.
Not financial or legal advice, for entertainment only, do your own homework. I hope you find this post useful as you chart your personal financial course and Build a Bitcoin Fortress in 2025.
Thanks for following my work. Always remember: freedom, health and positivity!
Please also check out my Bitcoin Fortress Podcast on all your favorite streaming platforms. I do a weekly Top Bitcoin News update every week on Sunday, focused on current items of interest to the Bitcoin community. Please check it out if you haven’t already. Also now on Fountain, where you can earn Bitcoin just for listening to your favorite podcasts.
Follow me on Nostr:
npub122fpu8lwu2eu2zfmrymcfed9tfgeray5quj78jm6zavj78phnqdsu3v4h5
If you’re looking for more great Bitcoin signal, check out friend of the show Pleb Underground here.