Bitcoin Loan Comparison

Ledn vs. SALT

Ledn charges 9.25%–11.49% APR with a 2% origination fee using custodial (segregated). SALT charges 9.95%–14.45% APR with a 1% origination fee using custodial. See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.

Rates verified 2026-06-09

How do Ledn and SALT compare for Bitcoin-backed loans?

SALT advertises a lower headline rate at 9.95%–14.45% compared to Ledn's 9.25%–11.49%. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, SALT saves $400 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees).

Ledn vs. SALT: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Ledn
SALT
Interest Rate (APR)
9.25%–11.49%
9.95%–14.45%SALT
Origination Fee
2%
1%SALT
Max Starting LTV
50%
70%SALT
Margin Call Threshold
70% LTV
83.33% LTVSALT
Liquidation Threshold
80% LTV
90.91% LTVSALT
Margin Call Window
Threshold-based
48 hoursSALT
Custody Model
Custodial (segregated)
Custodial
Rehypothecation
No
No
Interest Payment
At maturity
Monthly
Minimum Loan
$500Ledn
$5,000

APR by Loan Size: Ledn vs. SALT

Ledn offers tiered rates that decrease with larger loan amounts, while SALT structures rates by ltv. Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.

Loan SizeLedn APRSALT APRLedn Total Year-1 CostSALT Total Year-1 CostSavings
$100,00011.49%10.95%$13,490$11,950$1,540 with SALT
$250,00010.99%10.95%$32,475$29,875$2,600 with SALT
$500,00010.19%10.95%$60,950$59,750$1,200 with SALT
$1M9.99%10.95%$119,900$119,500$400 with SALT
$5M9.25%10.95%$562,500$597,500$35,000 with Ledn

Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. Ledn: 2% origination fee. SALT: 1% origination fee. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-06-09.

Custody and Collateral Security

Both Ledn and SALT use similar custody approaches: custodial (segregated) and custodial respectively. Ledn uses Custodial (segregated). Your Bitcoin is held by Ledn and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action. SALT uses Custodial. Your Bitcoin is held by SALT and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action.

Ledn: High (Custodial)
  • Custodial (segregated)
  • Rehypothecation: No
  • At-maturity interest payments
  • 2% admin fee waived US/Canada.
SALT: High (Custodial)
  • Custodial
  • Rehypothecation: No
  • Monthly interest payments
  • Rates vary by LTV x term matrix (1/3/5-yr terms; 1-yr shown — longer terms cost up to 3% more).

Margin Call and Liquidation: Ledn vs. SALT

Ledn triggers margin calls at 70% LTV and liquidates at 80% LTV. SALT triggers margin calls at 83.33% LTV and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. SALT gives borrowers 48 hours to respond to a margin call. Ledn uses threshold-based triggers without a fixed response window.

ThresholdLednSALT
Max Starting LTV50%70%
Margin Call70% LTV83.33% LTV
Margin Call WindowThreshold-based48 hours
Liquidation80% LTV90.91% LTV

Safety Buffer Comparison

Ledn: 30.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (80%). SALT: 20.9 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (70%) and liquidation (90.91%). Ledn provides a wider safety margin.

Which is better: Ledn or SALT?

Choosing between Ledn and SALT requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. Ledn uses custodial (segregated) with 9.25%–11.49% APR, while SALT uses custodial with 9.95%–14.45% APR.

On a $250,000 loan, SALT costs $29,875 in the first year versus $32,475 at Ledn, a difference of $2,600. Part of Ledn's higher cost comes from its 2% origination fee, which adds $5,000 upfront on this loan size.

Both platforms use similar custody approaches. Ledn operates via custodial (segregated), and SALT uses custodial. Neither platform rehypothecates borrower collateral.

Ledn is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or instant access. SALT is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or more flexible access.

Key details to be aware of: Ledn: 2% admin fee waived US/Canada. Bitcoin-only and fully custodied (no rehypothecation) since Jul 2025; monthly proof-of-reserves. SALT: Rates vary by LTV x term matrix (1/3/5-yr terms; 1-yr shown — longer terms cost up to 3% more). 1% origination fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ledn or SALT cheaper for a $500,000 Bitcoin-backed loan?

SALT is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, Ledn costs $60,950 (10.19% APR + 2% origination fee) while SALT costs $59,750 (10.95% APR + 1% origination fee). That is a $1,200 difference in the first year.

How does Ledn's custody model compare to SALT?

Ledn uses custodial (segregated). SALT uses custodial. Both platforms present similar custody risk profiles.

What is the minimum loan amount at Ledn vs SALT?

Ledn's minimum loan is $500. SALT's minimum is $5,000. Ledn is more accessible for smaller borrowers.

What happens if Bitcoin drops while I have a loan with Ledn or SALT?

Ledn issues a margin call at 70% LTV (threshold-based, no fixed window) and liquidates at 80% LTV. SALT issues a margin call at 83.33% LTV with a 48-hour response window and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. Starting from a 50% LTV, Ledn provides a 30-point buffer before liquidation, while SALT provides a 41-point buffer.

Should I use Ledn or SALT for a Bitcoin-backed loan?

It depends on your priorities. Ledn (9.25%–11.49% APR, custodial (segregated), min $500) is better for borrowers who value custodial (segregated) and need smaller loan access. SALT (9.95%–14.45% APR, custodial, min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial and need smaller loan access. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.

Other comparisons

Looking for a non-custodial alternative?

Lygos offers 10% APR, $0 origination fees, and DLC-secured collateral where rehypothecation is cryptographically impossible.

Ledn vs SALT: Bitcoin Loan Comparison | Lygos