SALT charges 9.95%–14.45% APR with a 1% origination fee using custodial. Aave charges ~4.4% (variable) APR with $0 origination fees using smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Rates verified 2026-06-09
Aave advertises a lower headline rate at ~4.4% (variable) compared to SALT's 9.95%–14.45%. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Aave saves $75,500 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees). From a custody perspective, Aave presents lower counterparty risk with its smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) model.
SALT structures rates by LTV ratio rather than loan amount, so the rate depends on how much collateral you pledge relative to the loan. Total year-1 cost includes both annualized interest and any origination fees charged upfront.
| Loan Size | SALT APR | Aave APR | SALT Total Year-1 Cost | Aave Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 10.95% | 4.4% | $11,950 | $4,400 | $7,550 with Aave |
| $250,000 | 10.95% | 4.4% | $29,875 | $11,000 | $18,875 with Aave |
| $500,000 | 10.95% | 4.4% | $59,750 | $22,000 | $37,750 with Aave |
| $1M | 10.95% | 4.4% | $119,500 | $44,000 | $75,500 with Aave |
| $5M | 10.95% | 4.4% | $597,500 | $220,000 | $377,500 with Aave |
Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. SALT: 1% origination fee. Aave rates are variable; the table uses a representative recent rate. Rates sourced from each lender's public rate pages as of 2026-06-09.
SALT and Aave take fundamentally different approaches to collateral custody. SALT uses Custodial. Your Bitcoin is held by SALT and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action. Aave holds collateral in audited smart contracts rather than with a single lender, but borrowing requires wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC or cbBTC) — your underlying BTC is held by the wrapper's custodian (BitGo/BiT Global for WBTC, Coinbase for cbBTC), reintroducing custodial bridge risk. Smart-contract and oracle risk also apply.
SALT triggers margin calls at 83.33% LTV and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. Aave has no margin-call mechanism: positions become liquidatable automatically the moment LTV crosses 78%, with no warning threshold or response window. SALT gives borrowers 48 hours to respond to a margin call before any collateral is sold.
| Threshold | SALT | Aave |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 70% | 73% |
| Margin Call | 83.33% LTV | None |
| Margin Call Window | 48 hours | None — automated liquidation |
| Liquidation | 90.91% LTV | 78% LTV |
SALT: 20.9 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (70%) and liquidation (90.91%). Aave: 5.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (73%) and liquidation (78%). SALT provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between SALT and Aave requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. SALT uses custodial with 9.95%–14.45% APR, while Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) with ~4.4% (variable) APR.
On a $250,000 loan, Aave costs $11,000 in the first year versus $29,875 at SALT, a difference of $18,875. Part of SALT's higher cost comes from its 1% origination fee, which adds $2,500 upfront on this loan size. Aave charges no origination fee, so the only cost is interest.
The custody difference is material. Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge), which means your Bitcoin requires multiple key holders to coordinate, reducing single-point-of-failure risk. SALT uses custodial. In a platform insolvency scenario, Aave borrowers' collateral is protected by the multisig architecture, while SALT borrowers may face creditor claims.
SALT is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or instant access. Aave is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or more flexible access.
Key details to be aware of: 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. Aave: DeFi money market — rates are variable and utilization-driven: USDC borrow against WBTC/cbBTC has ranged ~3.5-5.
Aave is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, SALT costs $59,750 (10.95% APR + 1% origination fee) while Aave costs $22,000 (4.4% APR). That is a $37,750 difference in the first year.
SALT uses custodial. Aave uses smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge). Aave presents lower custody risk because your collateral requires coordination among multiple key holders.
SALT's minimum loan is $5,000. Aave has no minimum. Aave is more accessible for smaller borrowers.
SALT issues a margin call at 83.33% LTV with a 48-hour response window and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. Aave has no margin call — positions are liquidated automatically the moment LTV crosses 78%. Starting from a 50% LTV, SALT provides a 41-point buffer before liquidation, while Aave provides a 28-point buffer.
It depends on your priorities. SALT (9.95%–14.45% APR, custodial, min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial and need smaller loan access. Aave (~4.4% (variable) APR, smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge), no minimum) is better for borrowers who value smart contract (wrapped btc via custodial bridge) 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.