Bitcoin Loan Comparison

Nexo vs. Debifi

Nexo charges 10.9%–17.9% APR with $0 origination fees using custodial. Debifi charges 10%–14% (P2P) APR with a 1.5% origination fee using collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.

Rates verified 2026-06-09

How do Nexo and Debifi compare for Bitcoin-backed loans?

Debifi advertises a lower headline rate at 10%–14% (P2P) compared to Nexo's 10.9%–17.9%. However, Nexo's lowest rates require loyalty tier qualifications, and most borrowers pay significantly more than the headline rate. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Debifi saves $4,000 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees). From a custody perspective, Debifi presents lower counterparty risk with its collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key) model.

Nexo vs. Debifi: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Nexo

Debifi

Interest Rate (APR)

10.9%–17.9%

10%–14% (P2P)Debifi

Origination Fee

$0Nexo

1.5%

Max Starting LTV

50%

70%Debifi

Margin Call Threshold

71.4% LTV

75% LTVDebifi

Liquidation Threshold

83.33% LTV

90% LTVDebifi

Margin Call Window

Threshold-based

Custody Model

Custodial

Collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key)Debifi

Rehypothecation

Yes

NoDebifi

Interest Payment

Capitalized

Monthly

Minimum Loan

$50Nexo

$5,000

APR by Loan Size: Nexo vs. Debifi

Nexo's rates depend on loyalty tier (token holdings), not loan size. The table below shows the rate most borrowers actually pay at each tier. Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.

Loan Size	Nexo APR	Debifi APR	Nexo Total Year-1 Cost	Debifi Total Year-1 Cost	Savings
$100,000	13.9%	12%	$13,900	$13,500	$400 with Debifi
$250,000	13.9%	12%	$34,750	$33,750	$1,000 with Debifi
$500,000	13.9%	12%	$69,500	$67,500	$2,000 with Debifi
$1M	13.9%	12%	$139,000	$135,000	$4,000 with Debifi
$5M	13.9%	12%	$695,000	$675,000	$20,000 with Debifi

Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. Debifi: 1.5% origination fee. Debifi rates are set by the lending marketplace; the table uses a representative recent rate. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-06-09.

Custody and Collateral Security

Nexo and Debifi take fundamentally different approaches to collateral custody. Nexo uses Custodial. Your Bitcoin is held by Nexo and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action. Nexo also rehypothecates deposited assets, meaning your collateral may be lent to third parties. Debifi uses Collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key). Multiple key holders must coordinate to move funds, reducing single-point-of-failure risk but still requiring trust in the key coordination process.

Nexo: High (Custodial)

•Custodial
•Rehypothecation: Yes
•Interest capitalized (compounding)
•Standard tiers: Base 17.

Debifi: Medium (Multisig)

•Collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key)
•Rehypothecation: No
•Monthly interest payments
•P2P marketplace — institutional lenders set rates per offer: typically 10-14% APR (observed range ~9.

Margin Call and Liquidation: Nexo vs. Debifi

Nexo triggers margin calls at 71.4% LTV and liquidates at 83.33% LTV. Debifi triggers margin calls at 75% LTV and liquidates at 90% LTV.

Threshold	Nexo	Debifi
Max Starting LTV	50%	70%
Margin Call	71.4% LTV	75% LTV
Margin Call Window	Threshold-based	Threshold-based
Liquidation	83.33% LTV	90% LTV

Safety Buffer Comparison

Nexo: 33.3 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (83.33%). Debifi: 20.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (70%) and liquidation (90%). Nexo provides a wider safety margin.

Which is better: Nexo or Debifi?

Choosing between Nexo and Debifi requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. Nexo uses custodial with 10.9%–17.9% APR, while Debifi uses collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key) with 10%–14% (P2P) APR.

On a $250,000 loan, Debifi costs $33,750 in the first year versus $34,750 at Nexo, a difference of $1,000.

The custody difference is material. Debifi uses collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key), which means your Bitcoin requires multiple key holders to coordinate, reducing single-point-of-failure risk. Nexo uses custodial and rehypothecates deposited assets, meaning your collateral may be lent to third parties while your loan is active. In a platform insolvency scenario, Debifi borrowers' collateral is protected by the multisig architecture, while Nexo borrowers may face creditor claims.

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

Key details to be aware of: Nexo: Standard tiers: Base 17.9% / Silver 15. Debifi: P2P marketplace — institutional lenders set rates per offer: typically 10-14% APR (observed range ~9.5-21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nexo or Debifi cheaper for a $500,000 Bitcoin-backed loan?

Debifi is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, Nexo costs $69,500 (13.9% APR) while Debifi costs $67,500 (12% APR + 1.5% origination fee). That is a $2,000 difference in the first year.

How does Nexo's custody model compare to Debifi?

Nexo uses custodial and rehypothecates deposited assets. Debifi uses collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key). Debifi presents lower custody risk because your collateral requires coordination among multiple key holders.

What is the minimum loan amount at Nexo vs Debifi?

Nexo's minimum loan is $50. Debifi's minimum is $5,000. Nexo is more accessible for smaller borrowers.

What happens if Bitcoin drops while I have a loan with Nexo or Debifi?

Nexo issues a margin call at 71.4% LTV (threshold-based, no fixed window) and liquidates at 83.33% LTV. Debifi issues a margin call at 75% LTV (threshold-based, no fixed window) and liquidates at 90% LTV. Starting from a 50% LTV, Nexo provides a 33-point buffer before liquidation, while Debifi provides a 40-point buffer.

Should I use Nexo or Debifi for a Bitcoin-backed loan?

It depends on your priorities. Nexo (10.9%–17.9% APR, custodial, min $50) is better for borrowers who value custodial and need smaller loan access. Debifi (10%–14% (P2P) APR, collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key), min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value collaborative multisig (3-of-4, borrower holds a key) and need smaller loan access. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.

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Understand the key terms

Rehypothecation Discreet Log Contracts Custodial vs. Non-Custodial LTV Ratio Margin Call Counterparty Risk

See loan scenarios

$100K Loan $500K Loan $1M Loan Borrow Against 10 BTC

Looking for a non-custodial alternative?

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

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