SALT charges 7.49%–10.5% APR with $0 origination fees using custodial. Arch charges 7.25%–10.49% APR with a 0.25%–1.49% origination fee using custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Terms checked individually — SALT: 2026-09-29; Arch: 2026-09-29.
For the standardized $250,000, 50% LTV, 12-month scenario, SALT is 8.75% APR and Arch is 9.99% APR. SALT: 50% LTV · 1-year term. Arch: Monthly-pay option; APR includes the size-based origination fee.
Arch's published APR already includes 1.49% origination fee.
On a $250,000 loan held for 12 months, SALT saves $3,100 in total first-year cost (interest plus applicable fees or charges).
To keep the comparison clean, both lenders are modeled at $250,000 principal, 50% starting LTV, and a 12-month term, using monthly-pay pricing where available. SALT pricing varies by starting ltv and term; Arch pricing varies by loan size and payment schedule. Actual offers can differ when those inputs change.
| Loan Size | SALT APR | Arch APR | SALT Total Year-1 Cost | Arch Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | 8.75% | 9.99% | $21,875 | $24,975 | $3,100 with SALT |
Assumptions: $250,000 principal, 50% starting LTV, 12-month term, and monthly-pay pricing where offered. Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest and fees, but does not add a fee again when the lender's published APR already includes it. Arch: 1.49% origination fee — already included in APR. Terms checked individually — SALT: 2026-09-29; Arch: 2026-09-29.
Both SALT and Arch use similar custody approaches: custodial and custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian) respectively. SALT uses custodial. Your Bitcoin depends on the security and solvency of that custody arrangement and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action. Arch uses custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian). Your Bitcoin depends on the security and solvency of that custody arrangement and could be at risk in the event of a hack, insolvency, or regulatory action.
SALT triggers margin calls at 83.33% LTV and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. Arch triggers margin calls at 70% LTV and liquidates at 80% LTV. SALT gives borrowers 48 hours to respond, while Arch provides 24 hours.
| Threshold | SALT | Arch |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 70% | 60% |
| Margin Call | 83.33% LTV | 70% LTV |
| Margin Call Window | 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Liquidation | 90.91% LTV | 80% LTV |
This comparison uses each lender's own maximum starting LTV, not a common 50% starting position. SALT: 20.9 percentage point modeled buffer between maximum starting LTV (70%) and liquidation (90.91% LTV). Arch: 20.0 percentage point modeled buffer between maximum starting LTV (60%) and liquidation (80% LTV). SALT provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between SALT and Arch requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. SALT uses custodial with 7.49%–10.5% APR, while Arch uses custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian) with 7.25%–10.49% APR.
On the standardized $250,000, 50% LTV, 12-month scenario, SALT costs $21,875 in the first year versus $24,975 at Arch, a difference of $3,100. SALT charges no origination fee, so the only cost is interest.
Both platforms use similar custody approaches. SALT operates via custodial, and Arch uses custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian). Neither platform rehypothecates borrower collateral.
SALT is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or instant access. Arch is the better fit for borrowers who need smaller loans or more flexible access.
Key details to be aware of: SALT: Standard rates vary by starting LTV and term, not loan size. Published one-year APRs are 7. Arch: APR and origination fee both vary by loan size; deferred-interest APR is 0.50 percentage points higher than monthly-pay APR through $5M.
SALT is cheaper under the stated assumptions. On a $250,000 loan at 50% LTV held for 12 months, SALT costs $21,875 (8.75% APR) while Arch costs $24,975 (9.99% APR). That is a $3,100 difference in the first year.
SALT uses custodial. Arch uses custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian). Both platforms present similar custody risk profiles.
SALT's minimum loan is $1,000. Arch's minimum is $5,000. SALT 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. Arch issues a margin call at 70% LTV with a 24-hour response window and liquidates at 80% LTV. For a common 50% starting LTV (rather than each lender's maximum), the modeled buffers are 41 points at SALT and 30 points at Arch.
It depends on your priorities. SALT (7.49%–10.5% APR, custodial, min $1,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial and need smaller loan access. Arch (7.25%–10.49% APR, custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian), min $5,000) is better for borrowers who value custodial (Anchorage, qualified custodian) and need smaller loan access. Use the rate table and cost comparison above to model your specific scenario.
Already borrowing with Arch? See your interest savings, terms head-to-head, and counterparty risk on your own numbers.
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