Arch charges 8.49%–11% APR with a 1.5% origination fee using custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian). Unchained charges 14%–15% APR with a 2% origination fee using collaborative multisig (2-of-3). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Rates verified 2026-05-14
Arch offers a lower headline rate at 8.49%–11% compared to Unchained's 14%–15%. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Arch saves $60,100 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees). From a custody perspective, Unchained presents lower counterparty risk with its collaborative multisig (2-of-3) model.
Arch offers tiered rates that decrease with larger loan amounts, while Unchained structures rates by term-length. Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.
| Loan Size | Arch APR | Unchained APR | Arch Total Year-1 Cost | Unchained Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | 11% | 14% | $31,250 | $40,000 | $8,750 with Arch |
| $500,000 | 11% | 14% | $62,500 | $80,000 | $17,500 with Arch |
| $1M | 8.49% | 14% | $99,900 | $160,000 | $60,100 with Arch |
| $5M | 8.49% | 14% | $499,500 | $800,000 | $300,500 with Arch |
Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. Arch: 1.5% origination fee. Unchained: 2% origination fee. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-05-14.
Arch and Unchained 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. Unchained uses Collaborative multisig (2-of-3). 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. Unchained triggers margin calls at 67% LTV and liquidates at 83% LTV. Arch gives borrowers 24 hours to respond, while Unchained provides 24 hours.
| Threshold | Arch | Unchained |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 60% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 70% LTV | 67% LTV |
| Margin Call Window | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Liquidation | 80% LTV | 83% LTV |
Arch: 20.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (60%) and liquidation (80%). Unchained: 33.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (83%). Unchained provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between Arch and Unchained requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. Arch uses custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian) with 8.49%–11% APR, while Unchained uses collaborative multisig (2-of-3) with 14%–15% APR.
On a $500,000 loan, Arch costs $62,500 in the first year versus $80,000 at Unchained, a difference of $17,500. Part of Unchained's higher cost comes from its 2% origination fee, which adds $10,000 upfront on this loan size.
The custody difference is material. Unchained uses collaborative multisig (2-of-3), 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, Unchained 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. Unchained is the better fit for borrowers who are borrowing $150,000 or more and want collaborative key control.
Key details to be aware of: Arch: Proactive pre-threshold alerts before MC triggers. Partial liquidation sells minimum to restore 60% LTV, 2% liquidation fee. Unchained: Commercial/institutional only since Jan 2024. Uses CTP ratio (inverse of LTV).
Arch is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, Arch costs $62,500 (11% APR + 1.5% origination fee) while Unchained costs $80,000 (14% APR + 2% origination fee). That is a $17,500 difference in the first year.
Arch uses custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian). Unchained uses collaborative multisig (2-of-3). Unchained presents lower custody risk because your collateral requires coordination among multiple key holders.
Arch's minimum loan is $5,000. Unchained's minimum is $150,000. Arch 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. Unchained issues a margin call at 67% LTV with a 24-hour response window and liquidates at 83% LTV. Starting from a 50% LTV, Arch provides a 30-point buffer before liquidation, while Unchained provides a 33-point buffer.
It depends on your priorities. Arch (8.49%–11% APR, custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian), min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial (anchorage, qualified custodian) and need smaller loan access. Unchained (14%–15% APR, collaborative multisig (2-of-3), min $150,000) is better for borrowers who value collaborative multisig (2-of-3) and prefer this platform's lending structure. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.
Already borrowing with Unchained? See your interest savings, terms head-to-head, and counterparty risk on your own numbers.
Open Compare LendersLygos offers 10% APR, $0 origination fees, and DLC-secured collateral where rehypothecation is cryptographically impossible.