SALT charges 9.95%–14.45% APR with a 1% origination fee using custodial. Surge Credit charges 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR with $0 origination fees using collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). See the full breakdown of rates, thresholds, and custody risk below.
Rates verified 2026-06-09
Surge Credit advertises a lower headline rate at 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed compared to SALT's 9.95%–14.45%. On a $1M loan held for 12 months, Surge Credit saves $20,500 in total first-year cost (interest plus origination fees). From a custody perspective, Surge Credit presents lower counterparty risk with its collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) 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 | Surge Credit APR | SALT Total Year-1 Cost | Surge Credit Total Year-1 Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | 10.95% | 9.9% | $11,950 | $9,900 | $2,050 with Surge Credit |
| $250,000 | 10.95% | 9.9% | $29,875 | $24,750 | $5,125 with Surge Credit |
| $500,000 | 10.95% | 9.9% | $59,750 | $49,500 | $10,250 with Surge Credit |
| $1M | 10.95% | 9.9% | $119,500 | $99,000 | $20,500 with Surge Credit |
| $5M | 10.95% | 9.9% | $597,500 | $495,000 | $102,500 with Surge Credit |
Total year-1 cost includes annualized interest plus origination fees. SALT: 1% origination fee. Surge Credit 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 Surge Credit 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. Surge Credit uses Collaborative multisig (Taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). Multiple key holders must coordinate to move funds, reducing single-point-of-failure risk but still requiring trust in the key coordination process.
SALT triggers margin calls at 83.33% LTV and liquidates at 90.91% LTV. Surge Credit has no margin-call mechanism: positions become liquidatable automatically the moment LTV crosses 90%, 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 | Surge Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Max Starting LTV | 70% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 83.33% LTV | None |
| Margin Call Window | 48 hours | None — automated liquidation |
| Liquidation | 90.91% LTV | 90% LTV |
SALT: 20.9 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (70%) and liquidation (90.91%). Surge Credit: 40.0 percentage point buffer between starting LTV (50%) and liquidation (90%). Surge Credit provides a wider safety margin.
Choosing between SALT and Surge Credit requires evaluating total cost, custody risk, and which platform aligns with your borrowing profile. SALT uses custodial with 9.95%–14.45% APR, while Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) with 6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR.
On a $250,000 loan, Surge Credit costs $24,750 in the first year versus $29,875 at SALT, a difference of $5,125. Part of SALT's higher cost comes from its 1% origination fee, which adds $2,500 upfront on this loan size. Surge Credit charges no origination fee, so the only cost is interest.
The custody difference is material. Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network), which means your Bitcoin requires multiple key holders to coordinate, reducing single-point-of-failure risk. SALT uses custodial. In a platform insolvency scenario, Surge Credit 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. Surge Credit 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. Surge Credit: Revolving BTC-backed USDC credit line on Base — launched 2026, early-stage. Variable rate from 6.
Surge Credit is cheaper. On a $500,000 loan held for 12 months, SALT costs $59,750 (10.95% APR + 1% origination fee) while Surge Credit costs $49,500 (9.9% APR). That is a $10,250 difference in the first year.
SALT uses custodial. Surge Credit uses collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network). Surge Credit presents lower custody risk because your collateral requires coordination among multiple key holders.
SALT's minimum loan is $5,000. Surge Credit has no minimum. Surge Credit 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. Surge Credit has no margin call — positions are liquidated automatically the moment LTV crosses 90%. Starting from a 50% LTV, SALT provides a 41-point buffer before liquidation, while Surge Credit provides a 40-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. Surge Credit (6.9% variable / 9.9% fixed APR, collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network), no minimum) is better for borrowers who value collaborative multisig (taproot vault, 3-of-4 signer network) 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.