Best Crypto Loans – How to Get a Crypto Loan in 2022

Fact Checked by Gary McFarlane

Please note that we are not authorised to provide any investment advice. The content on this page is for information purposes only.

As with traditional assets, your cryptocurrency tokens can also be used as collateral to obtain a loan.

This not only presents you with an efficient way to put your idle digital coins to use, but you will also be able to secure financing without having to go through any credit checks.

This guide reviews the best crypto loans in the market right now – based on interest rates, fees, collateral requirements, and other important factors.

#1 Crypto Loans Platform – AQRU

1
€100
Mobile AppYes
  • Easy-to-use crypto staking platform and exchange
  • Assets are insured with a $30 million insurance policy
  • Offers investing for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins

Best Crypto Loans – List of Top Crypto Loan Platforms in 2022

Due to the rising popularity of digital asset investments, there are now many platforms that offer crypto lending services.

However, not all sites are created equal. As such, below you will find our top picks for the best crypto loans in 2022.

  1. AQRU – Overall Best Crypto Loans in 2022
  2. Binance – Top Crypto Loan Platform with a Variety of Supported Digital Assets
  3. BlockFi – Popular Crypto Loan Site for Low-Interest Rates
  4. Nexo – Get 0% Interest Rate When Holding NEXO Tokens
  5. YouHodler – Crypto Loans With LTVs of up to 90%

Keep reading on to learn more about which crypto loans provider is best for your financing goals.

Best Crypto Loans – Top Platforms Reviewed

Selecting the right crypto lending platform requires you to look at the list of supported digital assets, fee structure, withdrawal options, and security offered.

On top of this, you should also evaluate the specifics that apply to the lending agreement, such as the LTV ratio and interest rates payable.

In this section, we take an in-depth look at which platforms offer the best crypto loans in 2022.

1. AQRU – Overall Top Site for Best Crypto Loans

If you are looking for an easy way to take advantage of your idle cryptocurrencies, then AQRU has you covered. You can use this platform to earn interest on your digital assets by simply depositing them into your account –  which AQRU then lends out to other retail investors.

And in doing so, AQRU is able to provide you with an attractive yield of 12% on stablecoins and 7% on Bitcoin and Ethereum. The interest earned will be added to your account on a daily basis.

Moreover, you can choose to withdraw the funds in cryptocurrency or fiat money at your convenience. Notably, unlike the majority of platforms that offer such services, AQRU does not require you to hold a certain balance in order to start earning interest.

Furthermore, the minimum deposit requirement is just €100 (or the crypto-equivalent) – meaning, you can make returns on your digital assets with little upfront commitment.

In recent years, there have been a plethora of new yield farming crypto platforms that offer yield farming services.

AQRU = best crypto loans

That said, bear in mind that AQRU is a custodial platform. Meaning, it will take full control of your assets once you deposit them. However, AQRU uses Fireblocks to offer you added protection on your wallet.

In addition to this, since there is no lock-in period involved, you will be able to withdraw your digital coins whenever needed. The provider also comes with a beginner-friendly and intuitive mobile app that lets you track your earnings on the go.

Pros

  • High interest rates offered
  • Earn a yield on stablecoins and cryptocurrencies
  • Wallet insurance by Fireblocks

Cons

  • Limited number of cryptocurrencies supported
  • Requires KYC

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

2. Binance – Top Crypto Loan Platform with a Variety of Supported Digital Assets

Binance supports the borrowing of many cryptocurrencies and stablecoins by accepting a wide range of digital assets as collateral. This includes not only large-cap popular coins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, but also DeFi tokens such as Aave, Algorand, Compound, Uniswap, and more.

However, the noteworthy disadvantage here is that you will not be able to take out loans in fiat currencies like US dollars or British pounds.

That said, Binance offers a high level of flexibility when it comes to accessing the best crypto loans. You can set a duration of 7, 14, 30, 90, or 180 days when borrowing through this platform, and on top of this, it is also possible to repay in advance.

The maximum LTV you can procure is 65%, but this varies depending on the digital asset you use as collateral as well as the duration of the term.

Binance best crypto loans

Once you agree to the terms and conditions, the borrowed funds will instantly be added to your Binance wallet – without any delay. The interest starts accumulating after you borrow the assets successfully and is calculated hourly, depending on the loan terms.

Binance is highly popular among traders and investors for the plethora of services it offers – which includes instant crypto purchases, trading, credit cards, earning accounts, staking, liquidity farming, and more.

Pros

  • Flexible loan terms
  • Support for a wide range of cryptocurrencies

Cons

  • Binance loans often come with complex terms
  • Low LTV ratio

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

3. BlockFi – Popular Crypto Loan Site for Low-Interest Rates

BlockFi is another platform that offers services such as trading accounts, interest on digital assets, and crypto loans at competitive rates. This provider lends you US dollars by charging you interest as low as 4.5%.

However, the minimum amount that can be borrowed is set at $10,000. BlockFi allows you to collateralized Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and PaxG to obtain a loan.

This selection is, of course, quite narrow when compared to the likes of Binance. The amount you can borrow in US dollars depends on how much you can collateralize and the LTV that you can secure.

At the time of writing, BlockFi offers LTVs of 50%, 35%, and 20% – and you will have to pay an interest rate of 9.75%, 7.9%, 4.5%, respectively.

BlockFi best crypto loans

On top of this, BlockFi also charges an origination fee of 2%. Note that the interest rates might also vary depending on your location.

The best crypto loans available at BlockFi are offered for a 12-month term, which gives you plenty of time to pay back the sum borrowed. You can also elect to make an early repayment if needed.

Pros

Cons

  • Crypto loans payable only on four cryptocurrencies
  • Origination fee of 2%
  • Max LTV of 50%

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

4. Nexo – Get 0% Interest Rate When Holding NEXO Tokens

Nexo is another service to consider for obtaining the best crypto loans at attractive interest rates. The platform allows its customers to receive credit in exchange for collateral – and you can deposit one of the 20+ supported cryptocurrencies for this purpose.

Nexo also sets itself apart by letting you borrow over 40 fiat currencies, including US dollars, euros, and British pounds, against your digital assets. You will also be able to withdraw the money directly to your bank account.

However, unlike the other platforms reviewed so far, Nexo determines your interest rate depending on the loyalty tier you belong to. This is calculated based on the number of NEXO (native digital token of Nexo) coins you hold in your account.

If you do not own any NEXO at all, you will end up paying an APR of 13.9%. On the other hand, if 10% of your portfolio balance is made of NEXO, you can bring the APR down to 0%.

nexo best crypto loans

The LTV, once again, depends on the digital asset you want to put up as a security deposit. On Nexo, the LTV is further determined by the price of your chosen cryptocurrency, its volatility, and market liquidity.

At the time of writing, the platform offers a 90% LTV for stablecoins such as USDT, 70% for PaxG, 50% for Bitcoin and Ethereum, 15% on NEXO tokens, and between 30-33% for all other supported crypto coins.

Pros

  • Get a crypto loan from $50
  • APR as low as 0% when holding NEXO tokens
  • Offers loans in 40+ fiat currencies

Cons

  • High interest rates without NEXO tokens
  • Withdrawal fees determined by loyalty tier

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

5. YouHodler- Crypto Loans With LTVs of up to 90%

The last platform we review in this guide is YouHodler, which offers some of the best crypto loans in this market. You can borrow US dollars, euros, British pounds, Swiss francs, or Bitcoin by putting any of the 40+ supported cryptocurrencies up as collateral.

It is possible to withdraw the loan funds instantly to your bank account via a wire transfer.

The platform also offers a highly competitive LTV ratio of 90%, with minimum loan amounts starting at just $100. However, the LTV available will depend on the contract duration you seek.

For instance, a 90% LTV is provided only for a term of 30 days. If you want to extend the loan period to 60 or 180 days, the LTV further reduces to 70% and 50%, respectively.

youHodler best crypto loans

In terms of YouHodler interest rates, the amount you are liable to pay will depend on various metrics, such as your collateral, your receiving currency, and the duration.

You will also be able to repay the loan using your security deposit. In this case, YouHodler will automatically sell the digital assets and use the proceeds to cover the compensation. The rest of the funds will be added to your wallet.

Pros

  • Get a crypto loan from $100
  • Flexible loan terms
  • Provides crypto-backed loans in 40+ fiat currencies
  • LTV of up to 90%

Cons

  • Cannot borrow stablecoins other than USDT
  • Closing loans without repayment comes with a service fee

Cryptoassets are a highly volatile unregulated investment product.

How Do Crypto Loans Work?

A crypto loan might make sense to those of you that are holding an allocation of digital assets and want to liquidate the coins without forfeiting ownership. As you know by now, there are a number of platforms that let you do this – each offering different terms and conditions.

Choosing the right platform for your needs requires you to have a better understanding of the jargon involved – such as LTVs, collateral, repayment periods, and more.

So, in this section, we will focus on how you can obtain the best crypto loans by knowing what core information to look out for.

Collateral

As we mentioned earlier, one of the most significant advantages of the best crypto loans is that you do not have to complete a credit check process to borrow funds. This is possible due to the high ratio of collateral required by lending platforms.

In other words, you are offering your cryptocurrencies as a security deposit in order to obtain a loan. How much you will need to pledge, as we discussed earlier, in our reviews will vary from one platform to another.

Receiving Asset

With the increasing popularity of decentralized lending services, the platforms that offer the best crypto loans will also provide you with a variety of options when it comes to receiving asset.

For example, Nexo and YouHodler let you borrow funds in fiat money as well as digital coins.

Best crypto loans YOUHODLER calculator

This offers you an easy alternative to traditional financing services, where you have to apply for loans in fiat currency and wait for approval. Instead, with such platforms, you will be able to procure funds instantly and move them to your bank account with ease.

On the other hand, you can also receive digital assets when taking out a crypto loan and then use the tokens for staking or earning interest via a savings account.

The market demand for crypto staking platforms has created a lucrative opportunity where users can turn their investments into profits.

APR

The APR or Annual Percentage Rate tells you how much interest will be charged on the crypto loan you take out. While the majority of platforms provide you with annual rates, some, like Binance, also calculate this on an hourly basis.

Needless to say, the best crypto loans come with low-interest rates.

LTV Ratio

The LTV ratio determines how much crypto collateral you need to post in order to take out a loan. In other words, it tells you the amount you can borrow when compared to the value of the digital assets you pledge.

For example:

  • On BlockFi, you can borrow up to 50% of the value of your security deposit.
  • This means that if you want to take out a loan of $10,000 – you will need to collateralize $20,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
  • On the other hand, YouHodler offers you an LTV ratio of 90% – which lets you borrow $10,000 by pledging far less.

The LTV ratio is applicable only when you are taking out a collateralized loan – and not for other types of crypto lending services, which we discuss below.

Best Crypto Loans – Types of Crypto Loans

When looking for the best crypto loans, you might come across a variety of offers depending on your requirements.

As such, this section of our guide presents a quick overview of the different types of lending services that you will find online.

Crypto Loans With Collateral

In most cases, the loan taker is required to put up cryptocurrency as collateral before borrowing funds. All of the platforms we discussed above offer such plans.

With digital assets being volatile, the LTV ratio you receive will always be less than 100% – typically between 50% to 90%. This difference provides lenders with breathing space if the value of your collateral decreases.

Crypto Loans Without Collateral

It is not yet feasible for an individual to obtain crypto loans without collateral through centralized services. In other words, you will have to pledge an asset – be it digital coins or fiat money – in order to borrow funds.

However, these days, a small number of platforms allow institutional investors to borrow funds without putting up collateral. However, in order to be eligible, you will have to go through an in-depth verification process in addition to credit checks.

The other alternative is to go through decentralized platforms and obtain a flash loan – which we explore in the next section.

Crypto Flash Loans

In recent years, some DeFi platforms have started offering flash loans, which allow you to borrow funds without the need for collateral.

Let us explain:

  • These are carried out using smart contracts, requiring the loans to be given and repaid within a single block.
  • If the borrower doesn’t repay the capital within the agreed time or the conditions set out in the flash loan smart contract aren’t met, the transaction is reversed.
  • In other words, the funds will be returned to the lender.

As you can imagine, such types of crypto loans are not yet overly common. Instead, crypto flash loans are often preferred by traders who use the money to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities, such as the price difference of an asset on different markets.

Moreover, if you are looking for the best crypto loans, it is best to stick to reputable and credible platforms like the ones we have discussed in this guide.

Best Crypto Loans – Custodial vs. Non-Custodial

Another aspect to factor in is whether you wish to use a custodial or non-custodial platform when searching for the best crypto loans.

Most centralized services, like the ones we covered above, take custody of your digital assets once you deposit them. This means that the provider sets the interest rates and LTV based on market conditions.

On the other hand, non-custodial crypto loans are offered by decentralized platforms via smart contracts, with minimal human interaction.

What Cryptocurrencies Can be Used as Collateral?

Depending on the platform you are using, certain digital assets might not be eligible for crypto loans.

To illustrate the point:

  • Binance lets you take out crypto loans against 40 different digital assets.
  • In comparison, on BlockFi, your options are severely limited.
  • Regardless, most platforms that offer the best crypto loans permit you to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins such as Tether and USDT as collateral.

That said, if you do not have an accepted cryptocurrency in your wallet, you can also convert your digital tokens into another coin such as Bitcoin or Ethereum in order to secure a loan.

You can also adopt this strategy to obtain a loan with more favorable terms  – such as a high LTV or low-interest rate.

How to Get a Crypto Loan?

If the concept of crypto loans seems interesting to you, you might be keen to know how the process actually works.

Below, you will find a walkthrough of how you can earn interest on your crypto funds via AQRU – a reputable lending platform.

Step 1: Open an Account

To start earning interest on your digital assets via AQRU, you will first need to create an account with the platform. You can do this by simply visiting the AQRU website and clicking on the ‘Sign Up’ button.

How to take crypto loan via AQRU

To complete the account setup process, AQRU requires you to go through a KYC verification procedure. This only means that you have to answer a few questions regarding your experience in the cryptocurrency industry and upload a copy of your government-issued ID.

Step 2: Deposit Cryptocurrency or Fiat Money

After successfully opening an account, you can move on to depositing funds. You can add Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a supported stablecoin. It is also possible to transfer British pounds or euros, but you will have to meet a minimum of €/£ 100. 

Step 3: Earn Interest From Crypto Loans

On AQRU, after you deposit cryptocurrency, you will automatically start earning interest on the funds. If you have added fiat money, you can choose to invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or a stablecoin.

You will earn an interest of 7% on BTC and ETH and 12% on stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, and DAI.

How Safe Are Crypto Loans?

The best crypto loans allow you to benefit from your investments without selling off your assets – which could trigger capital gains tax or cost you long-term gains should the market enter a bull run.

That said, before you take on this venture, there are some factors that you should pay close attention to:

  • When you use your cryptocurrencies as collateral, you are essentially entrusting the safety of your digital assets with your chosen platform.
  • Moreover, your chosen platform will be lending your funds to borrowers – and as with any other loan, there is a risk of default.
  • On top of this, the price of digital assets is always fluctuating. If the value of your collateral goes below the LTV requirement, you will have to put up more crypto in order to maintain the value of the initial pledge.

In other words, even the best crypto loans are not 100% safe. Therefore, if you want to adopt this strategy, you need to be mindful of the terms and conditions of your loan agreement.

You can also consider diversifying across multiple platforms to minimize the risk.

Best Crypto Loans – Conclusion

The best crypto loans offer you an opportunity to access quick liquidity, letting you stay invested in the market while freeing your capital for other short-term needs.

Not only that, you will be able to get your hands on your borrowed asset almost instantly without having to go through credit checks.

On the other hand, if crypto loans do not appeal to you, platforms like AQRU also offer attractive interest rates on your digital assets. This is another hassle-free way to put your idle cryptocurrency investments to good use.

1
€100
Mobile AppYes
  • Easy-to-use crypto staking platform and exchange
  • Assets are insured with a $30 million insurance policy
  • Offers investing for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins

FAQs

How do crypto loans work?

How much can you borrow against crypto?

Is it possible to take out crypto loans without collateral?

How to take a crypto loan?

Can I take a crypto loan without any verification?

 

About Kane Pepi PRO INVESTOR

Kane Pepi writes for several high profile publications such as InsideBitcoins, the Motely Fool, and Learnbonds. Based in Malta, Kane is extremely skilled at complex subjects related to financial matters - including a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, a Master’s Degree in Financial Crime, and actively engaged in Doctorate Degree research, for the money laundering threats of the blockchain economy.