Arch charges 7.75%–9% APR with a 1.49% origination fee using custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian). Surge Credit charges 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR with $0 origination fees using collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Rates verified 2026-06-09
Arch offers a lower headline rate at 7.75%–9% compared to Surge Credit's 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Arch saves $4,100 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees). From a custody perspective, Surge Credit presents lower counterparty risk with its collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) model.
Arch offers tiered rates that decrease with larger loan amounts, while Surge Credit charges a flat rate regardless of loan size. Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.
| Loan Size | Arch APR | Surge Credit APR | Arch Total Year-1 Cost | Surge Credit Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 9% | 9.9% | $10,490 | $9,900 | $590 with Surge Credit |
| $250,000 | 8.5% | 9.9% | $24,975 | $24,750 | $225 with Surge Credit |
| $500,000 | 8.5% | 9.9% | $49,950 | $49,500 | $450 with Surge Credit |
| $1M | 8% | 9.9% | $94,900 | $99,000 | $4,100 with Arch |
| $5M | 7.75% | 9.9% | $462,000 | $495,000 | $33,000 with Arch |
Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. Arch: 1.49% origination fee. Surge Credit rates are variable; the table uses a representative recent rate. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-06-09.
Arch and Surge Credit take fundamentally different approaches to collateral custody. Arch uses Custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian). Your Bitcoin is held by Arch and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action. Surge Credit uses Collaborative multisig (Taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). Multiple key holders must coordinate to move funds, reducing single-point-of-failure risk but still requiring trust in the key coordination process.
Arch triggers margin calls at 70% LTV and liquidates at 80% LTV. Surge Credit has no margin-call mechanism: positions become liquidatable automatically the moment LTV crosses 90%, with no warning threshold or response window. Arch gives borrowers 24 hours to respond to a margin call before any collateral is sold.
| Threshold | Arch | Surge Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 60% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 70% LTV | None |
| Margin Call Window | 24 hours | None — automated liquidation |
| Liquidation | 80% LTV | 90% LTV |
Arch: 20.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (60%) and liquidation (80%). Surge Credit: 40.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (90%). Surge Credit provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between Arch and Surge Credit requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. Arch uses custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian) with 7.75%–9% APR, while Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) with 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR.
On a $250,000 loan, Surge Credit costs $24,750 in the first year versus $24,975 at Arch, a difference of $225. Part of Arch's higher cost comes from its 1.49% origination fee, which adds $3,725 upfront on this loan size. Surge Credit charges no origination fee, so the only cost is interest.
The custody difference is material. Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network), which means your Bitcoin requires multiple key holders to coordinate, reducing single-point-of-failure risk. Arch uses custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian). In a platform insolvency scenario, Surge Credit borrowers' collateral is protected by the multisig architecture, while Arch borrowers may face creditor claims.
Arch is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or instant access. Surge Credit is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or more flexible access.
Key details to be aware of: Arch: Origination fee is tiered and falls with loan size: 1.49% below $750K, 0. Surge Credit: Revolving BTC-backed USDC credit line on Base — launched 2026, early-stage. Variable rate from 6.
Surge Credit is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, Arch costs $49,950 (8.5% APR + 1.49% origination fee) while Surge Credit costs $49,500 (9.9% APR). That is a $450 difference in the first year.
Arch uses custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian). Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). Surge Credit presents lower custody risk because your collateral requires coordination among multiple key holders.
Arch's minimum loan is $5,000. Surge Credit has no minimum. Surge Credit is more accessible for smaller borrowers.
Arch issues a margin call at 70% LTV with a 24-hour response window and liquidates at 80% LTV. Surge Credit has no margin call — positions are liquidated automatically the moment LTV crosses 90%. Starting from a 50% LTV, Arch provides a 30-point buffer before liquidation, while Surge Credit provides a 40-point buffer.
It depends on your priorities. Arch (7.75%–9% APR, custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian), min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian) and need smaller loan access. Surge Credit (6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR, collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network), no minimum) is better for borrowers who value collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) and need smaller loan access. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.
Lygos offers 10% APR, $0 origination fees, and DLC-secured collateral where rehypothecation is cryptographically impossible.